Car parts stuck at borders
The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) has warned increasing border checks and closures is resulting in "critical delays" in the supply chain.
It said the border controls between the German and the Czech and Austrian borders will soon lead to disruption in car manufacturing plants.
Sigrid de Vries, CLEPA secretary general, said: “Transport of goods should be exempt from border closures and member states should ensure the alignment of their border control measures to support the functioning of the single market.
“If controls at the border crossings are intensified, member states should respect their commitment to prioritise freight transport, as done successfully during the first wave through the introduction of ‘Green Lanes‘ with easily applicable rules.
“It is important to note that covid test requirements for truck drivers could undermine corridors for goods and risk disrupting supply chains, as shown by the example of Dover in December, where long queues to test truck drivers resulted in significant disruption, while almost all truck drivers tested negative for the virus. Only by setting up a practical test practice that can ensure the protection of the workers while guaranteeing the supply of goods would keep the automotive supply chain working.”
