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Traffic jam in Dover
Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
The UK's exit from the common trading area with the EU has the expected major impact on the economy.
According to a report by the Guardian, three quarters of all British factories are struggling with delays in freight traffic and consequent disruptions in supply chains.
According to a survey, 74 percent of the companies stated that they currently had problems in delivery traffic.
The industry association
Make UK
asked for the
survey
.
More than half of the companies surveyed also reported a significant increase in costs.
A third complained about lost sales (click here for the report).
Great Britain officially left the EU in early 2020.
At the turn of the year, a transition phase in which the United Kingdom was still part of the customs union ended.
Since then, extensive controls have been necessary at the borders, causing delays.
The pandemic exacerbates the difficulties because truck drivers have to show a negative corona test when crossing the border.
Helmet manufacturer fears for its existence
However, the British side has so far largely foregone large-scale controls of EU imports at the border.
These should actually be introduced gradually by summer.
Most recently, however, the British Port Association has expressed considerable doubts - because many of the planned handling facilities would not be ready on time.
The UK government regularly rejects business complaints about problems in EU trade.
A spokesman for the Guardian said that freight volumes between Great Britain and the EU were “at normal levels”.
There are also no "fundamental disruptions in the ports."
The entrepreneurs concerned obviously see it differently.
Catherine Bedford, founder of the well-known bicycle helmet manufacturer Dashel, told the Guardian that the delivery disruptions could ruin them.
"Because of the Brexit, we are no longer profitable, but are just about to make ends meet," said Bedford.
»We cannot predict delivery times because the items are held up at French customs, our entry point into Europe.
There is a massive backlog and shipments are sent back despite the latest papers. "
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