British companies will face full checks on exports to EU in less than six weeks if there’s No Deal Brexit
Brussels announced new contingency planning that says there could be 'prohibitions or restrictions' on some UK goods
BRUSSELS has warned British companies they will face full checks on exports to Europe in less than six weeks if there’s a no deal Brexit.
Eurocrats announced new contingency planning that says there could be “prohibitions or restrictions” on some UK products.
They also said “customs formalities and duties” will apply to all goods entering the EU from Britain “without preferences”.
And European companies looking to sell into the UK will be made to get export licenses and could have to fill out extra online forms.
French commissioner Pierre Moscovici warned: “The risk of a no-deal Brexit is increasing as we get closer to March 29.
“The Commission and national customs authorities are working hard to be ready to introduce checks and controls on goods flowing between the EU and the UK.”
A Commission spokesman added: “No contingency work will sort out the issues that we have successfully addressed in the Withdrawal Agreement.”
'IT WOULD PUT A STRAIN ON BRITISH-IRISH RELATIONS'
Brussels’ warning, in new advice to EU companies, came as Birdseye bosses warned they’ll have to hike the price of fish fingers if there’s no deal.
The company’s chief in the UK and Ireland, Wayne Hudson, said it would have to pass the cost of new EU tariffs of up to 20% onto consumers.
He said: “There is now a dense fog and a serious sense of unease that the entire food industry is having to navigate.”
After meeting with foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt in Brussels Ireland’s deputy PM, Simon Coveney, said no deal would be a “crazy outcome”.
He said: “From an Irish perspective that would put a lot of strain on our economy and our country and it would put a strain on British-Irish relations.
“We’re spending hundreds of millions of euros in Ireland preparing for a no-deal Brexit to try to protect Irish citizens in those circumstances.”
Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok added: “I still hope for the best. We are in the midst of preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
“We are still forward to any concrete proposals from UK government and the clock is ticking.”
Yesterday the PM’s de facto deputy David Lidington warned Brexiteers a no deal scenario could lead to the break up of the UK.
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