Brexit: Ireland temporarily eases customs controls to promote imports
A view of the Dublin container port on January 12, 2021. AFP - PAUL FAITH
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
A little less than 15 days after Brexit, some effects are being felt in Ireland.
Supermarkets are having a bit of trouble filling their shelves.
On the island, we are not yet eating cabbage for every meal, but there is some pressure on the supply chains.
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With our correspondent in Dublin,
Émeline Vin
In the ready-made meals, poultry or organic vegetables section, there are large gaps.
Supermarkets refuse to talk
about Brexit-related pressure,
but food industry representative Paul Kelly is not fooled.
“
This past week, as the traffic started to increase again, we noticed some degree of disruption,” he
explains.
Customs systems… They are not simple, it takes time, and they do not forgive: if you forget a space between a number and a letter, it does not work… These are adjustment problems, but they have when even been very severe.
"
Customs have had to ease administrative controls, to encourage bona fide businesses to continue bringing their products to Ireland.
“
This is a temporary solution that we have put in place for businesses that don't understand.
These companies knew that Brexit was coming, they prepared themselves but they underestimated the changes that this induced,
details Tom Talbot, director of operations at the port of Dublin.
They can use this solution while they are ready.
In the meantime, goods can continue to arrive through ports.
"
No end date has been announced for this relief.
Wholesalers and customs call on all businesses to prepare as quickly as possible.
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Ireland
Brexit
Economy
Trade and Trade