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As we watch the flow of food through the #UKEUBorder it's worth remembering that there are relying on both the #trader (that owns the goods) and the #haulier (that carries the goods) to both know exactly what is required of them and to get it right first time 1/
It's important to properly understand the burden on the haulier. Not least because far more food is likely to not leave the depot (because the haulier refuses to carry it) than presents at the border unready. Some haulage companies will be able to do this better than others. 2/
Making hauliers the policemen of trader compliance changes their job massively - it requires product knowledge they don't have and will have to acquire It places risks on their operations, particularly when their business model is moving goods for more than one customer. 3/
It's a different dynamic - last week a haulier's proposition to customers was 'you need something moved, no problem, leave it to us we'll get it done as cheaply and efficiently as possible'. Today the message is we can't do that unless you do x, y and z and it will cost more 4/
This dynamic will cause tension. not lest because some businesses will try and cut corners, plead ignorance, promise to get things across and they may get lucky (especially at first).
Others will stick to the rules and play fair and could be penalised by lost business 5/
Others will stick to the rules and play fair and could be penalised by lost business 5/
A familiar refrain from gov planning is that 'a haulier won't try and move product through the border unprepared twice.'
I'm not so sure about that especially in the food chain - where things are hideously complex 6/
I'm not so sure about that especially in the food chain - where things are hideously complex 6/
The assumes that every border issue is b&w and that all people (including border officials) will be 100% consistent in interpreting rules every hour of every day.
The harm of red tape is rarely the rule itself but the inconsistent and perceived arbitrary application of it. 7/
The harm of red tape is rarely the rule itself but the inconsistent and perceived arbitrary application of it. 7/
These are the things that could have been worked through in an implementation period - a proper period of time to stress test the rules, do dummy runs and agree new contracts.
Instead they will play out in trial and error and it will be survival of the fittest/luckiest. 8/
Instead they will play out in trial and error and it will be survival of the fittest/luckiest. 8/
The failure to secure an implementation period is stupid, cruel and unnecessary. There may be no queues in the day ahead but the work is only starting to sort out the mess.
At least as @MichaelGove told us we will be 'match fit ' at the end of it.
At least as @MichaelGove told us we will be 'match fit ' at the end of it.
