Brexit: UK-Ireland lorry traffic at Holyhead port slumps
By Sarah Dickins
image captionHauliers have needed new paperwork from 1 January
Lorry traffic through Holyhead, the UK s second largest port, has fallen to about one-third of its usual capacity, port operator Stena has said.
The company has also doubled its ferry service between France and Ireland, with more lorries travelling directly to mainland Europe.
Since 1 January, drivers have had to provide specific paperwork to take goods between the EU and the UK.
Ian Davies of Stena said he was confident traffic would pick up again.
Meanwhile, the boss of one of Wales largest hauliers, Gwynedd Shipping, said the system for lorries taking goods between the UK and Ireland is not working at the moment.
DUP: Brexit deal for Northern Ireland is an ‘unmitigated disaster’
Britain left the European Union’s single market and customs union on New Year’s Eve, introducing a raft of paperwork and customs declarations for those businesses that import and export goods with the bloc. In order to keep the border open between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland, a separate agreement was struck that requires a regulatory border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Officials from Northern Ireland s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have stated that the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland is an ‘unmitigated disaster’, calling for its suspension. At a hearing of the Commons Northern Ireland committee, MPs heard evidence from hauliers and retailers about the problems the new arrangements were causing compared to EU membership.
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Imports through Irish ports have slowed to a trickle as British business struggles to adapt to the new paperwork requirements. \ Philip Doyle
As we come to the end of the first week of trading with Britain outside the single market and customs union, it is clear that major difficulties are emerging for hauliers with return journeys from Britain to Ireland.
Many British exporters appear not to be familiar with what is required in relation to customs declarations and veterinary health certificates for exporting from Britain to the EU.
These difficulties also extend to deliveries into Northern Ireland from Britain, which are also subject to the new rules.
BBC News
By Conor Macauley
Published
image captionNI s chief vet Dr Robert Huey says his staff have spent the past week helping businesses fill in forms to get over the Irish Sea border
Northern Ireland s chief vet has said his staff have spent the past week helping businesses fill in forms to get over the Irish Sea border.
Dr Robert Huey was giving evidence to a Stormont Committee.
He said his original plan on how to deal with checks had quickly fallen apart because firms were not complying with the rules.
They were meant to pre-notify officials of their load and seal the vehicles before getting on the ferry to GB.