AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY businesses continue to be hit with difficulties in importing materials from the EU, and exporting to Northern Ireland, post-Brexit.

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) polled member businesses who supply inputs including feed, fertiliser and crop protection products onto farm, and found that almost all involved in import/export trade have experienced at least some degree of friction for a variety of reasons, impacting supplies, mostly strongly in the feed sector.

“The survey revealed that there is no single reason behind the difficulties faced by supply businesses,” commented AIC's head of policy, Ed Barker. “It is a combination of the EU-UK Trade Agreement itself, the interpretation by EU member states, and the unwillingness of hauliers/couriers to transport goods. These issues are in addition to the impact of Covid-19 and global availability of products.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty around the new checks that are expected to come into effect on October 1 on imports to GB, and a lack of understanding from EU exporters could compound this further,” he continued.

The survey revealed that 25% of AIC member businesses had noticed issues on importing goods from EU to GB since January 1. The main problems cited were physical readiness at ports and points of entry, and costs such as tariffs, agent fees and customs. 61% said they were not confident of what would be expected of them when full inspection checks phase in from October 2021.

Two thirds of members said they had experienced difficulties exporting to NI from GB since January 1. The main challenges included finding hauliers or couriers, customs or tariff procedures, or incorrect documentation such as Export Health Certificates being asked for. Over half of members have used governmental schemes to aid NI export, though many feel that they are ultimately let down by insufficient or inconsistent guidance.

AIC has raised concerns about these obstacles with senior civil servants and said they are working on technical matters to try to find a solution. In addition, support has been given to individual businesses where they have not received enough from UK or EU Member State authorities.

“Looking ahead, we expect the UK will bring in import checks from October 1," continued Mr Barker. "We are working with Government to make guidance as clear as possible by arranging meetings with AIC members and officials to explain the real-world hurdles they are facing. It’s also important to ensure there is flex in the system to allow for any inevitable mistakes that do occur once the changes are in place.

“We are continuing to inform the UK position on agri-supply imports/exports and our joint work at an EU level and our coordination with other organisations is helping to ensure supply delays of feed and other input supplies to farm are minimised.”