The Department for Exiting the European Union has announced today (26 June 2019) that Seamus Leheny, Policy Manager for Northern Ireland at FTA, has been selected to become a member of the Business and Trade Union Alternative Arrangements Advisory Group. Mr Leheny commented:

“As the organisation representing the logistics sector, it is essential FTA’s voice is included in any major discussion on the UK’s departure from the EU. So many businesses and individuals’ jobs are dependent on the continued free movement of goods cross the border in both directions, but the lack of progress shown by politicians in sorting future arrangements in Ireland are at the heart of the stagnation of Brexit talks. On any given day, more than 13,500 Goods Vehicles cross just six of the 300 border crossings in Ireland, with the majority of freight being intermediate goods that are an integral part of all-island supply chains. My role in this group will be to work to preserve seamless business links between Northern Ireland and EU27 countries especially the Republic of Ireland in any Brexit negotiation and protect the interests of those organisations that we represent, as well as the wider Northern Irish economy.”

Efficient logistics is vital to keep the UK trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.