IRHA welcomes EU agreement with UK for Green Lanes for road transport of food on Landbridge

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has welcomed reports that progress has been made on agreeing the implementation of “Green Lanes” across the UK.

Irish and European Union (EU) officials have reached a draft agreement to limit the impact of Brexit on the movement of Irish food products and live animals into the rest of the EU via the UK Landbridge.

Once the Brexit transition period expires at the end of December, Irish live animal and food exports transiting the UK will be arriving in European ports from a third country. The effect of this draft agreement for hauliers is that when the UK leaves regulatory alignment with the EU and Customs controls are imposed, road hauliers carrying food and animal products from Ireland destined for the EU can travel through UK ports under a more simplified and efficient system, avoiding many checks and delays.

It is understood that the deal, which still requires ratification by other Member States, will require a change in EU rules governing the surveillance of food coming into the single market but without this food and live animal exports from Ireland would face a significant increase in costs, delays and paperwork.