In the wake of the UK exiting the EU, Freight Transport Association (FTA) – the country’s largest trade associations representing the interests of companies moving goods, has highlighted the importance of trade across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Following the ‘leave’ vote in the referendum, FTA says coming out of the union risks new costs, restrictions and bureaucratic requirements being imposed on moving goods in and out of Europe – and that includes transport operations crossing the UK’s only land border with the Republic of Ireland.

FTA Chief Executive David Wells said: “Even though we are coming out of Europe politically, it remains our biggest export market and the supplier of a high proportion of our imports. We cannot allow new bureaucratic burdens to hamper the efficient movement of exports heading for customers and imported goods destined for British consumers."

“The Government has two years to ensure the conditions currently imposed on other non-EU member states such as Albania and Serbia are not imposed on UK freight flows. Norway and Switzerland have better arrangements but have accepted tough conditions including the free movement of people, so this will be a difficult negotiation. Britain may be out of Europe but it's not out of business and FTA will be leading the campaign on behalf of exporters and importers to keep trade procedures simple and the costs of international transport down,” added Wells.

Seamus Leheny, FTA’s Policy & Membership Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Northern Ireland has enjoyed arrangements with its neighbour for almost 100 years for free movement, commercial, legal and social matters. The UK is Ireland’s largest mutual trading partner and this relationship must be maintained through the Brexit negotiations.”

UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron announced his intention to stand down in October after “steadying the ship” in the wake of the ‘leave’ vote. He said it would be up to his successor to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, and negotiate the UK exit from the EU.

Once Article 50 is invoked, it will follow two years of negotiation between the remaining 27 countries and the UK about the totality of relations between the EU and UK.

Facts: The UK and Europe’s Automotive Industry