Steve Parker, British International Freight Association (BIFA) director general, has stated that whilst the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK is due for review in 2026, much of the preparatory work will be undertaken this year.

“There has been lots of speculation about the issues a reset might address, which has so far been characterised by warm words on both sides, but very little detail about possible policy changes.

“Both sides are committed to the full implementation of the current TCA but at present there doesn’t seem any appetite to implement any significant changes, particularly relating to frontier processes.

“In a way this is not surprising as considerable effort and cost has been incurred to implement new procedures at the frontier and time is still required to establish how well they will actually work in practice.”

BIFA is reminding its members of the need to be realistic with any aspirations about what might be achieved during any negotiations in regards to trade between the UK and EU, and how the outcome of those negotiations might affect the work they undertake to facilitate that trade.

In an episode of BIFAlink TV, which aired on February 17th, member policy and compliance director, Robert Windsor, discussed the forthcoming ‘reset’ of the UK-EU trade relationship; reflecting on the key areas impacted by Brexit and assessing the aspects of trade that could be considered as part of the forthcoming review.