Nigel Jenney , Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium ( FPC ) has condemned the UK governance ’s post - Brexit border solution , " The Government has individual conveniently create the world ’s most ineffective and expensive border . This once in a life-time chance has been squander and we now expect Government enforced consequences for both business and consumers , " state Jenney .
" The UK government has ignored our extensive advice on how to streamline border process . Instead , they ’ve create a scheme that is both incompetent and hugely expensive . This will labour up costs for our sector , which will ultimately be passed on to consumers already struggling with the uprise toll of living , " Jenney continued .
Key point highlighted by Jenney include:“Charges : Exorbitant administration costs including " common exploiter charges " of up to £ 14,500 per 100 cargo . Around £ 1,450 for each vehicle ( mixed loading ) . This will lend millions of pound in annual costs to the supply range . lowly company will find fees of £ 50k , in addition for major importers £ 1 m. "
" delay and kerfuffle , only a couple of hebdomad ago industry was inform that official inspection staff will not be useable at Control Points beyond 7 Prime Minister . " 95 % of all the goods in our sphere get beyond the 60 minutes that UK government official care to work . It ’s about what ’s convenient to them . It ’s not about what ’s effective for the industry and toll - effective for hard - pressed consumer . "
" Last - minute chaos , the governing ’s want of clarity and constant changes have created confusedness and undermined industry authority . “Just calendar week before execution , inside information like coarse user charges were announced . We expected fees of 20 - 40 per consignment . The recent annunciation confirm £ 145 a 500 % addition . "
" deficiency of consultation , the political science follow through these fundamental armorial bearing whilst simply ignoring our choice highly efficient and bio - secure solution , potentially crippling small business and undermining the UK ’s food security . "
" food for thought security , a central Government responsibility is to feed and bloom the res publica with affordable produce , yet their solutions wittingly sum £ 200 million of evitable cost to the sphere and heavily - pressed consumers . "
" Taking our supply for allot , it ’s well-defined the Government has no understanding or stake in UK ’s diverse horticultural sector or its international partners . "
" No export incentive , the UK imports 65 % of our fresh green goods and 80 % of our flowers . Therefore , a cost - effective border strategy is of the essence to encourage growers to export to the UK whilst offering UK growers a private-enterprise opportunity to export . "
" We ’ve offered workable solution for twelvemonth , but the government has drag one’s heels and shown total incompetency . To forefend this self - made crisis , we recently propose a smattering of inspector at key point to support the EU trade ; a solution perfectly suited to our just - in - fourth dimension , perishable goods industry . Yet , this was rejected outright . "
" We have become the laughing stock of Europe , " concluded Jenney .
For more information : Fresh Produce ConsortiumTel : +44 ( 0)7718 518253Email:[email protect ]
