EU reset is a step forward in improving trade says Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has welcomed the outcomes of the UK and EU ‘reset’ talks, saying they will help ease challenges businesses have faced since Brexit.

Outcomes from the summit included:

• Routine checks on plant and animal products removed 
• Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement on food and drink import and export
• Closer cooperation on emissions
• British steel exports protected from EU tariffs
• eGates at borders open to British passport holders

East Midlands Chamber Head of International Trade Lucy Granger said: “After such a prolonged and frustrating time for firms importing or exporting goods with the EU, where moving even small amounts of goods has been prohibitively expensive and reams of unnecessary paperwork time consuming, these agreements are a welcome step forward and pave the way for further improvements.

“Getting agreement and removing most routine checks on animal and plant products will make a big difference to businesses trading with the EU, as will the sanitary and phytosanitary deal – that enables everything from burgers to sausages to be shipped without costs getting in the way.

“There’s still more that can be achieved – a return to the Pan Euro Mediterranean Convention would mean alignment on rules for components and raw materials, taking out another cost and an exemption on fiscal representation on VAT in the EU would remove another hurdle for businesses, so it’s essential the government build on this first stage of talks.”