Trade will be a day-to day struggle after Brexit is completed, MPs have been told, in a bleak forecast from the key aerospace, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.<\/p>\n
The inquiry heard of massive extra costs, a mountain of red tape, shrinking investment and chemicals disappearing from the UK market, from January.<\/p>\n
Some medicines may not reach Northern Ireland if, as feared, extra tests will be required although it was very important that patients dont panic, it was told.<\/p>\n
Those facilities [for testing] dont exist, so its not clear how it will happen, warned Richard Torbett, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.<\/p>\n
Neil Hollis, of the chemical giant BASF, highlighted 1bn of new registration costs, a loss of innovation and some chemicals no longer being available, adding: There's no positive spin on this.<\/p>\n
And Paul Everitt, chief executive of the ADS Group, the aerospace trade organisation, said: Whatever happens now, we will be involved in a day-to-day struggle to ensure the goods that we need to see flowing across our borders.<\/p>\n
He said: It will happen at whatever cost it has to bear but that obviously shapes and impacts on peoples future investment plans. Its not a happy place for us to be.<\/p>\n
None of the three witnesses could state a reason for welcoming the end of the transition period, on 31 December, when challenged by Hilary Benn, the Brexit committees chairman.<\/p>\n
The grim warnings came hours after the struggling UK car industry suffered another Brexit blow, when the EU rejected a UK plan to avoid export tariffs by circumventing rules-of-origin.<\/p>\n
A woman poses with a home-made European Union flag as Remain supporters gather on Park Lane in London to show their support for the EU in the wake of Brexit<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Remain supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the result of the EU referendum<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
A majority of people in the capital voted to remain in the European Union<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
Protesters chanted: What do we want to do? Stay in the EU <\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
The march follows a similar rally in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
But support for the Leave campaign in urban areas and among young people was significantly lower<\/p>\n
Rex features<\/p>\n
Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11am and marched towards Parliament Square<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
Some protesters held up baguettes in a display of affection for our continental neighbours<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a four million signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed push for Scotland to cede from the UK<\/p>\n
PA<\/p>\n
The events organiser, Kings College graduate Kieran MacDermott, wrote: We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button\"<\/p>\n
Reuters<\/p>\n
All the sectors will be hit even if a last-gasp trade deal is struck, because it will not spare domestic producers from the harsh effects of leaving the single market, the customs union and EU agencies.<\/p>\n
The pharmaceuticals industry is pushing for the fallback of a mutual recognition agreement, to avoid the cost and delay of up to 6 weeks of re-testing when a medicine is exported to the EU.<\/p>\n
Every month 45 million packs of medicines cross the Channel and 37 million are imported from the EU to the UK, it points out.<\/p>\n
Mr Torbett stressed such an agreement was a bare minimum, pointing out a deal to allow data to cross borders was also incredibly important.<\/p>\n
On the risk to medicines reaching Northern Ireland, he said stockpiles are being built up, adding: We will do everything we possibly can to manage risk.<\/p>\n
The chemicals industry fears the 1bn cost of the UK pulling out of the EU database, known as REACH, in favour of its own regulation.<\/p>\n
To put it bluntly, chemicals available now.... will remain on the EU market, but will disappear from the UK market, Mr Hollis said.<\/p>\n
Mr Everitt criticised the decision to pull out of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which certifies products, arguing continued membership had been negotiable.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link: <\/p>\n
Trade will be day-to day struggle after Brexit is completed, MPs told in grim industry forecast - The Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Trade will be a day-to day struggle after Brexit is completed, MPs have been told, in a bleak forecast from the key aerospace, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. Continue reading