BBPA to provide expert advice to Domestic Advisory Group

05-May-2022 - Last updated on 05-May-2022 at 10:17 GMT

Domestic Advisory Group: BBPA to provide sector-specific expertise to inform the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has been welcomed onto a Domestic Advisory Group to provide sector-specific expertise to inform the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Consisting of trade bodies, associations, labour, and civil society organisations, the Domestic Advisory Group was established by the Government to consult with organisations and industries most affected by the operation of the UK-EU TCA.

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “We are really pleased to have been invited to join the Government’s Domestic Advisory Group.

Critical to supply chains

“Our country’s beer and pub industry is world renowned, and the EU remains our largest market for exports, and is critical to our supply chains for imports”

This comes as Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg last week announced a fourth delay in the commencement of post-Brexit checks on EU goods in a move he claimed would save British businesses £1bn in annual costs.

However, the delay received mixed reactions from the sector with some operators having said it was the last thing the sector needed while others welcomed the decision.

Rees-Mogg stated the Government has now aimed for the new controls regime to start by the end of 2023, meaning the post-Brexit checks on European goods will not be in practice until almost four years since the UK formally left the EU in January 2020.

Boost UK economy

The Domestic Advisory Group, which met for the first-time last week, is expected to meet twice a year and rotate between all four nations of the United Kingdom.

In order to ensure fair and reasonable import and export policies to support the sector, which adds £26.2bn to the UK economy every year according to the trade body, the BBPA will advise the group on the needs of the beer and pub industry.

McClarkin added: “We look forward to working with peer organisations across a range of industries and interests to develop policies and agreements that further boost the UK’s economy through international trade.”