Exporters fear UK could pull the landbridge rug out from under us

The Port of Dover instituting migrant checks delayed commercial traffic to a pace of only 1.8km in three hours

Recent three-hour delays at the port of Dover heightened concerns in the food and haulage businesses about the UK honouring the Common Transit Convention which allows the passage of Irish trucks carrying more than €18bn of Irish exports through UK roads and ports to mainland Europe.

Grave concerns have been expressed that the UK may not honour the Common Transit Convention which allows the passage of Irish trucks carrying valuable Irish exports through UK roads and ports to mainland Europe.

Verona Murphy, the Independent TD for Wexford, said in the Dáil last week that representatives of industry, hauliers and farmers have told her of their concerns that the UK could end the landbridge transit arrangement.