// Tesco to make suppliers take care of their own shipments across the Irish Sea before having them delivered to Northern Ireland
// Suppliers’ lobby groups have expressed concern that they would be hit with extra costs as a result of the proposals
// The UK is planning on introducing phased border checks on food products in the Irish Sea from October
Tesco is reportedly set to make suppliers ship food to Northern Ireland via the Irish Sea themselves, saying the border checks have become a “very complex’ process”.
According reports in The Telegraph and The Grocer, Tesco is preparing to change to how it delivers to its stores across Northern Ireland once further Brexit checks are introduced in October.
The UK is planning on introducing phased border checks on food products in the Irish Sea from October, but sea border contained in the deal has been the biggest practical challenge, with Northern Ireland having remained part of the EU’s single market for goods while the rest of the UK has left.
READ MORE:
- M&S to buy more food from EU as it faces Brexit disruption
- UK to introduce phased border checks in the Irish Sea from October
Tesco has reportedly asked some of its suppliers to start delivering their own products from Great Britain into the Republic of Ireland.
From there, Tesco would take the supplies over the border into Northern Ireland.
It’s thought that the plans could be followed by other major grocers looking to avoid delays and paperwork at the Irish Sea border.
However, suppliers’ lobby groups have expressed concern that they would be hit with extra costs as a result of the proposals.
A Tesco spokesman said: “Through the Brexit transition period, we have worked collaboratively with our suppliers and provided support where we can in order to minimise any potential disruption for customers.
“The upcoming requirements for transporting certain food in Northern Ireland are very complex and we are speaking to our suppliers about how we can make this process as efficient as possible over the next few months.”
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