The UK's Wine and Spirit Trade Association, which represents the drinks trade, has called on the UK government to "unequivocally" rule out a possible 'no deal' Brexit, saying that the industry needs clarity in order to plan for the year ahead.
The WSTA was responding to news reports that the UK Parliament is planning to launch a 'publicity drive' to prepare the public for the possibility of no deal being struck between the UK and EU ahead of the country's planned exit from the European Union.
Frictionless Trade
“Whilst we welcome support for business from Government, the WSTA has campaigned consistently since the Referendum for any new trading arrangements with the EU to deliver frictionless trade in goods with no tariffs or additional barriers, sufficient labour supply and a transition period that lasts until at least 2020," commented Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA.
“The WSTA launched its #NoToNoDeal campaign at the end of last year to underline to politicians that a ‘No Deal’ Brexit would be a threat to our world leading industry. Our members, including many SMEs, are already struggling with Brexit-induced challenges regarding currency, cashflow and stock."
Beale added that any tariffs or additional costs, border delays or restricted movement of labour would be "both as unacceptable as it would be unnecessary".
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
