Commenting on announcement following the UK-EU Summit, Steve Parker, director general of the British International Freight Association said:

“BIFA members, and the importers and exporters that they serve, will be breathing a sigh of relief following practical commitments to improve regulatory cooperation.

“On behalf of its members, BIFA has long called for more facilitated solutions in regards to how the UK trades with the EU, and finally there has been some progress on this.

“Freight forwarding and logistics businesses, which manage a significant proportion of the UK’s visible supply chains with the EU, will be especially pleased with the announcements of cooperation on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which should cut costs, complexities and delays that disrupt trade flows.

“Simplifying border processes for businesses in Northern Ireland and supporting island of Ireland supply chains will also be welcomed and should facilitate smoother trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“We hope that the announcement will significantly simplify border processes and consequently contribute to increased volumes of goods traded between the UK and the EU

“It is now down to government to work out the most practical solutions and BIFA is ready to support any effort to achieve that.

Parker also welcomed the announcement of closer cooperation on the Emission Trading Systems, but called on the government to ensure the most practical reporting solution is adopted in the UK.

Concluding, Parker said: “The outcome of today’s Summit marks a leap forward in the EU-UK’s trading relationship, after the turbulence of the last decade.

“With the EU as the UK’s largest trading partner, BIFA members will not want the work to stop here. We need to make the most of this opportunity by recognising that there has been a reset of the country’s trading relationship with the EU, and trying to future proof it.”