FTA boss David Wells has urged new PM Theresa May to prioritise the Logistics industry as the UK discusses the terms of Brexit with the EU, asking that she ensures that goods can move freely between the UK and the rest of the world.

In a letter Wells penned to Ms May, Wells argued that the UK’s economy relies on the ability to import and export goods, and it is “essential, therefore, that the UK government secures arrangements which protect our ability to deliver this.” He has asked to meet with her as soon as possible to discuss how the FTA can work with the government and support them in this, to deliver the best results for the UK’s economy and businesses.

He also included a copy of FTA’s 2016 Logistics Report, which the association produces annually, to give her an overview of challenges facing the sector.

FTA has over 15,000 members, all of whom transport goods by road, rail, sea and air, and Brexit is set to become a key challenge for them, especially give the increased demands indicated in this year’s report.

The organisation also has international members, who said that access to the single market, and the ability to employ non-UK drivers were a priority. A survey run by the FTA revealed that 64% of their international members were pessimistic about the short-term prospects of their businesses, and half thought that Britain’s exit from the EU would make things worse in the long term.

The lobby group also identified the top ten topics for the logistics industry in the wake of Brexit. These included access to the single market, border controls, customs arrangements, domestic transport legislation, enforcement of cross-border traffic, fuel duty, global markets, and investment in transport.