Brexit port delays due to lack of preparation, claims Mike Russell
The failure of the UK Government to prepare for Brexit is behind emerging delays and backlogs at ports, according to Scotland’s constitution secretary.
There have even been reports of lorries being refused entry at some ports as the impact of new regulations and customs checks begin to bite.
U K C a b i n e t S e c r e t a r y Michael Gove warned there was likely to be "significant disruption" at borders over coming weeks.
And Scottish Constitution S ecretar y Michael Russell blamed the situation on UK ministers over their handling of the countr y's departure from the EU.
“The problems that we are seeing at various borders now are exactly the sorts of issues that Scottish ministers have been raising since the Brexit referendum," Mr Russell said.
“The customs and border
compliance requirements, t hat have l ong existed f or ‘ third countries’, were always going to burden shippers and traders if UK membership of the customs union ended.
“We repeatedly pointed out t he need f or businesses to have time to prepare, given the complexity of the rules and IT systems involved.
“We are doing all we can to mitigate the impact of Brexit, which was pursued, despite our advice, during the Covid- 19 pandemic, which is having such a significant impact on business and the economy.
“However, the UK Government chose not to extend the transition period and only completed the Brexit deal days before the end of the transition period, making it impossible for businesses to properly prepare."
A last- minute deal struck between Downing Street and Brussels on Christmas Eve meant businesses ensured that tariff- free trade continued, but firms have had little time to prepare for the specific terms they would be bound by for exporting.
Among t he problems are expor t health cer t i f i cates, which are now necessary for food exports to the European Union.
Mr Russell said: "The UK Government, with their bad Brexit deal, chose to impose these extra burdens on business at a time of unprecedented challenge, which is utterly unacceptable and very damaging to the economy and for jobs.”