‘WITH COMMON SENSE AND COMPROMISE, A DEAL IS STILL POSSIBLE’
Pottery leaders call for trade deal agreement Corrigan
CERAMIC industry leaders are calling on the government and EU to agree to a ‘vital’ free trade deal before the end of the year.
Just over two months remain until the UK’S post-brexit transition period comes to an end on January 1 - and a ‘no-deal’ outcome has looked increasingly likely due to ongoing disputes over fishing rights and competition rules.
The British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) is particularly keen on seeing an agreement reached as more than half of the sector’s exports currently go to Europe.
EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, arrived in London on Thursday to resume face-to-face talks, following a tense week-long stand-off between the two sides.
BCC chief executive Laura Cohen, above, believes a deal is still possible, despite the increasing rhetoric.
Dr Cohen said: “With 57 per cent of members’ exports going to the EU, a fully comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU is vital.
“Our members are clear they need a deal to be able to bounce back from the impacts of coronavirus and continue tackling the challenges of decarbonising whilst staying internationally competitive.
“We urge leaders on both sides to stay at the table and find a route through. With tenacity, common sense and compromise, a deal is still possible.”
Dr Cohen says the BCC has been doing everything it can to help prepare its members for a no-deal outcome but further guidance from the government was needed.
She added: “We’ve been working with our members, government and officials since the referendum to help ensure member companies are ready.
“We’ve intensified our efforts over the summer, and have been hosting focused fortnightly video calls with members and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy officials so we can all share up-to-date information.
“This has helped their preparation and covers the issues they’ve identified as important. “However, there are still very many areas where our members need urgent clarity, such as import and export requirements, product standards and carbon compliance.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says his government has been striving for a ‘Canada-style’ deal with the EU, but that if this was not possible, Britain would settle for trading on World Trade Organisation terms.
Stoke-on-trent Central MP Jo Gideon believes a deal is still desirable and possible, but not at any cost.
She said: “Of course a deal is preferred, but the government have made it clear that the UK won’t compromise on being an independent sovereign state, and the EU needs to accept that in its negotiations.
“The UK will maintain our high standards, and business is gearing up to prepare for changes in import/ export requirements and new opportunities of our future as a global trading nation.”