The Fruit & Vegetables sector must not be forgotten in the EU-UK negotiations warns Freshfel Europe

Between the European Union and the United Kingdom, negotiations have resumed after a halt due to the health crisis. Freshfel Europe calls on negotiators not to abandon the Fruit & Vegetables sector and to allow its companies to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

Freshfel Europe is concerned about the time remaining to reach an agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom to guarantee the continuation of trade flows. January 1, 2021 is approaching and the scenario of Brexit "without an agreement" is emerging.

 

 

 

For Freshfel Europe, the negotiators must allow companies in the Fruit & Vegetables sector to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of this year, many operators will already be in a very fragile financial situation and will not be able to bear further cost increases like the British customs taxes already announced on certain agricultural products. According to Freshfel Europe, real progress must be made in the negotiations, leaving aside "political positions".

 

 

 

Freshfel Europe urges EU and UK negotiators to focus on finding workable technical solutions to avoid a catastrophic situation for companies in the sector at all costs. It is urgent to take action on both sides.

 

 

 

With, for example, the extension of the transition period which could ensure a certain continuity of activities. Companies in the sector should not be held hostage to political discussions and compromises. The trading conditions should be clearly communicated to all operators by the end of the summer at the latest.