EuroCommerce, the group that represents the retail sector in Europe, has said that 'sufficient progress has been achieved' on early Brexit negotiations, also warning that significant challenges remain during the transition phase.
In a statement to European leaders ahead of the European Council meeting on 14-15 December, Christian Verschueren, director general of EuroCommerce, said,
“During the transitional period, it is important that goods continue to move freely, and without tariff or quota restrictions between the UK and the EU, taking account of highly integrated supply chains between the UK and EU, and particularly with the Republic of Ireland.
“These transitional arrangements must avoid undermining the integrity of the single market, assure observance of all relevant EU standards and regulations, and give all economic operators legal certainty,” Verschueren said.
Status Quo
On the need to maintain the status quo in relation to trade agreements, while the transitional period is under way, Verschueren added, “The movement of goods, and particularly fast-moving consumer and perishable goods and medicines, is extremely time-sensitive. Any delays or border queues will disrupt important production processes and damage perishable consignments.
“Disruption of current supply chains would lead to price volatility and market uncertainty for all involved,” he said.
Quick Agreement
EuroCommerce is urging negotiators to agree quickly on a suitable transitional period, ‘ensuring legal predictability and allowing all parts of the supply chain to adjust to whatever new trading arrangements are finally agreed’.
“Since it seems almost inevitable that no agreement on these definitive arrangements can be reached before the deadline of March 2019, this transitional period needs to be long enough for there to be a realistic prospect of such an agreement to be completed and enter into force,” said Verschueren.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
