Level Playing Field issues may be dominating EU-UK thinking on future relationship negotiations. But businesses are thinking about real trading issues. Here's just a few concrete issues I've discussed in recent weeks...
Whether GB producers of food of animal origin will be in a position to export to the EU after Jan 1 2021. There are strict rules and inspections. Similarly what UK processes will be for our own imports. 2/
ec.europa.eu/food/safety/in…
ec.europa.eu/food/safety/in…
A couple of conversations on energy interconnectors and offshore wind farms which could make a serious contribution as I understand it to decarbonisation but requires various UK-EU collaborations... 3/ greentechmedia.com/articles/read/…
Several organisations deeply concerned about what they see as DIT's flawed proposals on tariffs and what this says about whether there is sufficient deep knowledge of tariffs and rules of origin in government. At least there's a consultation... 4/ gov.uk/government/con…
In every conversation a special feature on Northern Ireland where we try to understand precisely what rules will apply to GB Northern Ireland trade and conclude there will be significant barriers to trade particularly in food products... 5/
Quite a few questions around the UK taking on the functions of EU regulatory bodies, and how any future cooperation will work between the UK and said bodies - on huge topics like chemicals safety 6/
In the real world businesses want governments to sort a trade agreement with less fuss about issues where we don't even disagree that much, establish sensible regulatory cooperation to ease burdens, and listen more to 21st century than 18th century MPs. 7/ end
PS This as well. And fundamentally regulatory sovereignty clashes with global trade as it actually exists. Compromise is inevitable (both ways). But the UK is making a dramatic move from putting trade first to putting sovereignty first in under 12 months.
PPS in case not absolutely clear - preparing for and implementing new trade arrangements means cost for business. Then probably extra cost doing business after 2021. And if others do not face the same costs UK business has become less competitive. Simple logic.
