Brussels,11 March 2019. – With less than 20 days remaining,European businesses are calling for a no deal Brexit to be averted immediatelyto avoid major disruption of supply chains across all industries and to protectjobs.
The undersigned organizations reiterate that ano-deal Brexit will have disastrous consequences for businesses and citizens onboth sides of the Channel.
EU and UK companies have benefited from over 40years of economic integration and 25 years of the Single Market. As a result,value chains have become so closely intertwined that a no-deal Brexit will leadto chaos.
Delays at customs and disrupted supply of allgoods, including foods and medicines, will affect communities and incursignificant costs for businesses and governments alike. In many areas,businesses do not yet know the trading conditions they will be operating in andsmaller companies are already experiencing cash flow problems in the face ofthis uncertainty. Jobs are at risk as businesses might haveto close down or downsize, unable to deal with disruptions.
As a matter of urgency we call on both parties tosecure the Withdrawal Agreement and transition period. This will givebusinesses time to adapt to the new reality and allow the EU and UK toprepare and agree on their future relationship.
Participating organizations:
- The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic)
- The UK Chemical Industries Association (CIA)
- BusinessEurope
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA)
- Eurelectric
- FoodDrinkEurope
- FuelsEurope
- The European Association of Metals (Eurometaux)
- The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
- The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX)
- The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES)
- EuroCommerce
- European Aluminium
- The European Forest Fibre and Paper Industry (CEPI)
- The International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE)