Frictionless trade is no longer a UK negotiating objective... not surprising based on previous declarations from the Chancellor but... 1. It raises a number of questions for NI-GB flows in particular & wld confirm what was in the UK Gvt WA bill impact assessment for GB-NI... 1/ 
...which was aligned with UKTF slides & what @MichelBarnier & his team said repeatedly. 2. What does this mean for the UK's negotiating objectives? No trade facilitation measures? Wld seem weird. Surely AEO MRA (or 'trusted traders' MRA) is on the table. Was in political decl. 2/
Would a safety & security agreement 'à la EU-CH' be on the table? Let's hope so, operators could REALLY do without entry & exit summary declarations - esp. for ro-ro. Surely an SPS agreement at least as good as EU-NZ is on the table? What else? And what about transport??? 3/
3. So there will be customs formalities, regulatory obligations, addition red tape & controls but can we have more operational details? Industry needs to know how much of the day 1 processes, 'innovations' (TSP...) & easements will be back. What system will be used... 4/
...at ro-ro ports without a port community system. Something similar to the FR system SI Brexit with compulsory pre-lodgement, bar codes scanning etc? That + no TSP for imports into UK = need for staff 24/7 as freight mvts don't stop at night or during the weekend. 5/
What about UK SPS import requirements? Will all EU goods subject to SPS requirements need to enter through a BCP (new name for BIPs)? Only some? Which ones? Where are these BCPs & what about NI-GB...? What types of products will they be authorised for? 6/
4. The million $ ?: how does the UK Gvt intend to address the shortage of customs agents & vets? Several EU MS have a similar pbm. Not near enough to cover industry needs. Funding is required but won't solve the pb alone although this + precise requirements wld help! 7/
So while not entirely surprising, the message that reg freedom is an absolute red line for the UK & frictionless trade no longer an objective raises many ?. It's in the UK Gvt's interest to answer them ASAP & work with #logistics & #SupplyChain actors to find solutions /END
