Exports of British goods to the European Union fell more than two-thirds in January compared to a year earlier. The decline in exports is not so much caused by the corona pandemic, but largely due to extra customs controls and paperwork after Brexit.
British transport organizations complain that there are far too few British customs officers. There are only 10,000, one fifth of what would be needed. There are fears of even less sales in EU countries when British customs start controls on imports of European goods in July.
There are also currently strict rules for UK truck drivers traveling from the UK via the Channel Tunnel to France; they should now be able to show a negative corona test.
The damage also occurs to British exporters who are dealing with new customs controls and IT system malfunctions. It is estimated that 1 million pounds per day is lost in the fishing industry alone.
The extra delay has already cost the business community in Scotland more than £ 11 million. Scottish farmers and food companies are facing costly delays and major financial losses, Scottish Brexit minister Michael Russell said.
In any case, the damage amounts to 11 million pounds sterling in losses for Scottish seed potato farmers who can no longer export to EU countries. Later this week there will be a UK-European summit on the matter. EU diplomats have said that 'the British shouldn't whine: they wanted Brexit and now have gotten what they wanted, it is said in the corridors.
Speaking to the Scottish regional parliament in Edinburgh, Minister Russell said the Scottish government would continue to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of Brexit - including a six-month grace period to give companies more time to deal with change.
The Scottish government has announced a new aid package of 7.75 million pounds sterling to support fishermen, fishing companies and ports threatened by the EU Exit.
Last week, the British Chambers of Commerce said that not only British companies but also British government agencies were insufficiently prepared for the entry into force of the new British-European trade procedures.