Feltham, Middlesex, UK: The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is to survey its members again, as part of research on the preparedness of the UK’s freight forwarding and logistics sectors for the end of the transition period.
An earlier survey carried out in May, found that the majority of respondents believed that an extension to the transition period was desirable, if no trade deal is agreed by December 31 2020 and UK trade with the EU is conducted on WTO lines.
BIFA director general Robert Keen says: “BIFA saw that as a clear message to government that BIFA members and the clients that they serve had great reservations over whether they would have the capacity to handle the major changes to the UK’s trading relationship at the start of 2021, such as new customs documentation and procedures.
“The latest survey reconsiders that issue and also asks whether BIFA members need greater clarity on government plans for the UK’s borders; and whether the recent publication of both the Border Operating Model and Moving Goods Under the Northern Ireland Protocol have assisted members’ understanding of procedures regarding imports and exports between the EU and UK, and GB and Northern Ireland, respectively.”
“The trade association is being asked questions from a variety of government departments and agencies, as well as a House of Commons Select Committee, and the results of the survey will further inform our responses to those enquiries.”
Other questions cover issues as staffing; whether more information on future systems and procedures is required by the trade association’s members, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on members’ preparedness.
“Obviously, the biggest possible response to this survey will increase its credibility with government and we are urging our members to take the time to complete the survey, which must be done before September 9,” Keen says.
