Building on a roundtable meeting between CILT’s CEO Kevin Richardson and Ministers at Number 10 Downing Street earlier this month, CILT Head of Policy Daniel Parker-Klein attended a roundtable at the Department for Transport on Tuesday. At the meeting, ‘no-deal’ planning led the agenda, where border preparations, permits for cross border movement and traffic management proposals for the approach to Dover and other ports were discussed.  Following the meeting, we welcomed the announcement that the UK has successfully negotiated membership of the Common Transit Convention (CTC). Membership of CTC ensures simplified cross border trade for UK businesses in the event of a no deal. It allows traders to delay the processing of customs declarations and payment of duties until they arrive at their destination. The CTC is not a magic wand, and regulatory border checks are still anticipated (such as sanitary checks on agri-foods), but the CTC will ease congestions and delays at the point of entry. 

Furthermore, later today (19th December) it is expected that the Commission will announce the 6-9 month extension of existing transport arrangements in the event of a no deal. This could potentially allow for many existing border operations to remain in place, avoiding a cliff edge and providing time for considered implementation of alternative arrangements.  The announcement is expected at lunchtime. 

Daniel Parker-Klein said “following the continued uncertainty presented by a delayed vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, we welcome these meaningful announcements which combined, begin to provide our sector with a framework within which to plan for life outside the EU”.