The government has released a series of papers outlining ministers’ desires for trade and future customs arrangements after Brexit.

Released on Monday, the Position papers reveal the aims of the Brexit department being headed up by David Davis, as the third round of divorce talks begin between UK and EU negotiators. The government has previously faced criticism for a lack of transparency on its aims in these talks, and a lack of information on domestic policy after Brexit, particularly around food and the environment.

The Brexit department’s position papers and proposals for discussion include securing “frictionless trade” between the UK and EU from the first day after Brexit and measures to avoid a hard border being established between Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland. Ministers also said they want to avoid unnecessary duplication of compliance conditions, so goods produced in the UK before exit day can continue to be sold in the EU (and vice versa) without the need for new authorisation processes. 

The new papers follow others on the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, and Britons living in the EU, and on safeguards for nuclear material.

After the first round of negotiations, EU officials said the meetings had been challenging, because their British counterparts didn’t appear to have any position at all on many issues up for debate; they suggested that it will be hard to keep the talks within the tight two year timeframe for the UK’s exit process, which began in March this year.

On Monday, Brexit Secretary David Davis said, “These papers will help give businesses and consumers certainty and confidence in the UK’s status as an economic powerhouse after we have left the EU.

“They also show that as we enter the third round of negotiations, it is clear that our separation from the EU and future relationship are inextricably linked. We have already begun to set out what we would like to see from a future relationship on issues such as customs and are ready to begin a formal dialogue on this and other issues.”

Commenting on the papers, Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of dairy industry umbrella group Dairy UK, said the group supports the government’s stated aims of frictionless trade with the EU, and welcomed the government’s recognition of agri-food in its papers.

Dr Bryans said, “Businesses need certainty around the legalities associated with ensuring they can continue to trade in goods at the point of Brexit. The EU is our biggest export market and recognition of the need for stability is welcome.
 
“Dairy is a hugely important industry to the UK and while many industries are seeking priority during complex Brexit negotiations we contend that dairy should be recognised as being fundamental to the country’s future interests given the role we play in providing safe and nutritious food to the nation.
 
“We will offer the Government every possible assistance in securing arrangements that will minimise disruption to consumers and dairy businesses and will help the UK dairy industry take advantage of the opportunities that Brexit may yield.”

Also commenting, NFU President Meurig Raymond said, “The NFU, along with other farming organisations, has long called for a transitional deal that maintains as free and frictionless trade in agri-food products as possible and it is pleasing to see Government recognise the concerns of the sector.”

Mr Raymond said the NFU has pushed for continued UK membership of a customs union in meetings with senior government ministers. He said, “Such an arrangement would provide farmers and growers with the stability and continuity needed to continue running competitive and profitable farming businesses.”

The NFU president said, “It is crucial that swift progress is made on the current phase of Brexit negotiations so the crucial issue of the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU, including the precise nature of both the interim and long-term customs agreements, can be discussed as soon as possible.”