Vets chased lorries down motorway in bid to overcome Brexit paperwork hell
British livestock owners are facing an uphill battle in meeting post-Brexit regulatory requirements, with some even resorting to chasing lorries down the motorway in a desperate bid to get their goods cleared.
The logistical nightmare has been compounded by a surge in paperwork demands from EU authorities, which have left exporters and hauliers struggling to keep up. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport, who has been at the forefront of this struggle, described the situation as "pure hell". He revealed that Brexit has resulted in a 26-stamp regime, compared to just one sheet required before the UK's departure from the EU.
Ovens' worst experience was when a truck carrying frozen meat was held up in Calais for 27 days due to an error with paperwork. The delay cost his customer £16,000, after he had to charge drivers to sit with the refrigerated truck in Calais for an extended period.
The situation has been so dire that trucks have been rerouted and drivers have even been forced to meet with vets on the motorway. Ovens' comments come as Brussels negotiators prepare to meet with EU officials next week, aiming to simplify post-Brexit regulations.
However, experts warn that a deal will not be straightforward. Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union highlighted technical challenges in getting a deal where approaches to farming have already diversified. Meanwhile, Sean McGuire of the Confederation of British Industry noted that the EU has been "very lukewarm" on mutual recognition of professional qualifications such as architecture.
The cost of this red tape is mounting, with Liam Byrne estimating an additional £8.4bn in lost trade since Brexit. Goods trade has plummeted by 18%, while food and drink sales have fallen by 24%.
British livestock owners are facing an uphill battle in meeting post-Brexit regulatory requirements, with some even resorting to chasing lorries down the motorway in a desperate bid to get their goods cleared.
The logistical nightmare has been compounded by a surge in paperwork demands from EU authorities, which have left exporters and hauliers struggling to keep up. Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport, who has been at the forefront of this struggle, described the situation as "pure hell". He revealed that Brexit has resulted in a 26-stamp regime, compared to just one sheet required before the UK's departure from the EU.
Ovens' worst experience was when a truck carrying frozen meat was held up in Calais for 27 days due to an error with paperwork. The delay cost his customer £16,000, after he had to charge drivers to sit with the refrigerated truck in Calais for an extended period.
The situation has been so dire that trucks have been rerouted and drivers have even been forced to meet with vets on the motorway. Ovens' comments come as Brussels negotiators prepare to meet with EU officials next week, aiming to simplify post-Brexit regulations.
However, experts warn that a deal will not be straightforward. Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union highlighted technical challenges in getting a deal where approaches to farming have already diversified. Meanwhile, Sean McGuire of the Confederation of British Industry noted that the EU has been "very lukewarm" on mutual recognition of professional qualifications such as architecture.
The cost of this red tape is mounting, with Liam Byrne estimating an additional £8.4bn in lost trade since Brexit. Goods trade has plummeted by 18%, while food and drink sales have fallen by 24%.
I mean, who needs a 26-stamp regime when you've got a good dose of bureaucracy to really spice up your day? 
The logistics just got a whole lot more exciting for our poor livestock owners. I'm sure it's not like they have anything better to do than chase lorries down the motorway... I mean, what's the fun in that? 
It's not like they're trying to make ends meet or anything. Meanwhile, Brussels is all like "Hey, let's simplify the regulations... eventually". 
Like that's going to happen anytime soon?
i mean, a 26-stamp regime? thats like tryna fit 26 stamps on a single sheet of paper lol. and its not just that, even trucks are gettin chased down motorway by vets cuz drivers cant afford to sit w/ frozen meat for 27 days in calais... thats £16k lost to one truck alone! 
its no wonder goods trade is plummetin by 18% and food sales by 24% 
i hope these negotiators can sort this out before it gets even worse
Like, I get it, paperwork can be annoying, but chasing lorries down the motorway? That's just ridiculous 
. Toby Ovens' experience with that frozen meat truck in Calais is like something out of a movie – 27 days stuck on the side of the road? £16,000 lost to bureaucratic red tape... talk about a nightmare 
! British farmers are being held hostage by EU red tape, and it's just UNACCEPTABLE 
. A 26-stamp regime is just a recipe for disaster, and the fact that trucks have been rerouted and drivers have even had to meet with vets on the motorway because of an error with paperwork? That's just SICKENING 
.
. £8.4bn in lost trade since Brexit? 18% plummet in goods trade and 24% decline in food and drink sales? It's like they're strangling the economy itself 
.
What's next, having lawyers ride shotgun? 
The cost of all these regulations is piling up and it's affecting businesses big time. It's like they're strangling the life out of our economy. 
I mean, what's next, calling in the cavalry to sort out customs forms? It's bloody ridiculous. Can't these EU people get their act together and simplify things already? 26-stamp regime? Sounds like something from a bad joke. And good luck with the vet on the motorway thing... that's just cruel 
. Seriously though, it's no wonder trade has plummeted - who wants to deal with all this bureaucratic nonsense? 
️ like, what's the point of having a trade deal if we can't even move goods around the country without hassle?
maybe it's time to re-think some of these regulations?