The British Retail Consortium has called on the government to find a “pragmatic solution” to the decision by France to close its borders to UK traffic.
The Eurotunnel has suspended travel and the Port of Dover has closed to outbound traffic.
The French Government yesterday announced a block on passengers and freight arriving from the UK for at least 48 hours, after a new variant of the Covid-19 virus was identified in parts of the south east.
Other European countries including Belgium, the Irish Republic and Germany have also taken action to restrict travel from the UK. Prime minister Boris Johnson is to chair a Cobra meeting later today.
Andrew Opie, director of food & sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, warned the restrictions pose difficulties for import and exports of “key goods” over the festive period.
He said: “While goods can enter from France, few haulage firms will be willing to send trucks and drivers across to the UK without a guarantee they can return to the EU in a timely manner.
“This is a key supply route for fresh produce at this time of year: the channel crossings see 10,000 trucks passing daily during peak periods such as in the run up to Christmas.
“We urge the UK Government and the EU to find a pragmatic solution to this as soon as possible, to prevent disruption for consumers. Retailers have stocked up on goods ahead of Christmas which should prevent immediate problems. However, any prolonged closure of the French border would be a problem as the UK enters the final weeks before the transition ends on 31st December.”
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