British supermarkets issue warning over GB-NI trade

Six British supermarkets on Sunday called for “swift, decisive, and cooperative movement” over the future of trade between Britain and Northern Ireland. Without a solution, they warned, retailers may end up shifting supply chains from Britain to the EU.

In a letter to U.K. Brexit minister David Frost and European Commission Vice-President MaroÅ¡ Å efčovič, the group, which includes Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, said “much more needs to be done before the end of September if there is not to be significant disruption to supply and an increase in cost for Northern Ireland consumers.”

Under Brexit arrangements, Northern Ireland should follow EU food-quality rules. But the issue of controls on products moving from Britain to the region has sparked tension between U.K. and EU authorities, and led to business concerns over costs and delays. A grace period on applying the rules is due to end on September 30, but there’s no long-term solution in place.

The British retailers called on both officials to “help us to minimise this disruption and allow us to continue to provide the people of Northern Ireland with choice and affordability.”

The British Retail Consortium also warned retailers would face “increased cost and complexity when moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland” from October, unless a solution is found. It called for an “industry consultation” to find a “working solution.”

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