The joint statement released on Monday (HERE) by the EU and the UK, on the surface at least, seems encouraging. It appears progress of a kind is being made - except on the Irish border problem where more work is needed apparently. What a surprise that is! But what is the real eye opener for me is the list of databases that we will lose access to. This is just on VAT, customs and related trade stuff. It is absolutely gobsmaking. There are around 20 databases with complicated acronyms like ECS (Export Control System) or EOS/EORI (Economic Operators System – Economic Operators Registration and Identification).
We will be disconnected from them at various times starting on 1st January 2021 and going up to December 31st 2025 although for some we will still have read only access after the cut-off dates (as I read it anyway). The dates given make it appear the transition period is a certainty which would mean, I assume, the withdrawal agreement is also certain. But looks perhaps deceive and it is all in fact just a working assumption.
When you look at the sheer interconnectedness of the UK and the EU the prospect of no deal and Brexit happening in March next year looks terrifying. And how we will replicate the systems that we will need post Brexit will be a challenge to say the least.
The press (HERE) have got hold of a draft statement to be released at next week's summit which urges "all members and all stakeholders to step up their work on preparedness at all levels for all outcomes” – which I take to mean no deal is still a possibility.
