Freight firms warn of Brexit disruption amid UK-EU deadlock

LONDON (AP) — British freight haulers and storage companies are demanding an urgent meeting with government leaders because of concern that gaps in preparations for Brexit may threaten supplies of critical goods.

Trade associations representing the companies wrote to Michael Gove, the minister overseeing Britain’s exit from the European Union, saying that improvements to border posts and computer systems are behind schedule.

Most of Britain’s food comes from the EU, much of it on trucks through the Channel port of Dover, and the freight industry is warning there could be major logjams when customs checks and other procedures have to be imposed on Jan. 1.

The groups say that if the issues aren't addressed, "U.K. business and the supply chain that we all rely so heavily on will be severely disrupted.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Friday he was confident goods would keep flowing. The British government is investing millions in new IT systems and border facilities and recruiting thousands of customs staff to deal with the new arrangements.

More than 40 years of seamless trade with the EU will end Jan. 1 after an 11-month transition period that followed Britain’s formal departure from the bloc earlier this year.

The U.K. will leave the bloc's single market and customs union, and it's unclear whether there will be tariffs and other obstacles to trade. The two sides hope to strike a free-trade deal, but negotiations are deadlocked with just months to go.

The trade groups, including the U.K. Warehousing Association, Logistics UK and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, said the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of a supply chain that works properly.

“With transition occurring at the same time as a potential second COVID...