FOR seasoned travellers crossing the Irish Sea the past three years is often only comparable to a real-life version of the 1995 film Jumanji!

The difference between transition and enforcement as the UK enters the final stages of the Border Operating Model this week sees the most major change in recent years. Import customs from the island of Ireland can no longer be deferred under previous relaxations and now must be lodged and supplied to the transporter. This traceable process adjusts the liability for the transporter to correctly declare the goods as per the importer’s request.

Import VAT

People are rightly cross, and the issues surrounding import VAT are imposing an unfair tax on already a stretched industry. For traders to add on twenty percent of the horse’s value means the exporter must absorb or pass that on within the final sale.

Supply chains preparing horses market-ready for the UK are often complex with un-VAT registered producers. It’s just not realistic to expect such a vast adjustment to an entire chain.

Critics of Brexit will be quick to point this argument out and yet it’s arguably only by understanding the diverse supply chain and engaging with the authorities that we can truly highlight the injustice and severe impact families face when trying to remain in business.

Torment

Jumanji was set in a jungle where often the paths were crossed and then recrossed with even more torment as the game thickened with the goal of escaping an ever-worsening crisis.

Key to a healthy industry is international sales at a fair and affordable price. When we look around the world at arguably one of the most dangerous times in existence, we can pay homage to what a safe and wonderful area we live.

Safety comes with a price, and the cost for this is collected in taxation. While everyone accepts paying no tax clearly seems odd, it’s trying to pay as little tax while remaining legal that will get us out of the jungle. Devaluation or falsely declaring will only push the industry backwards. If we wish to have a long-term future, we must engage.

Wherever you are in the Brexit jungle, remember the equine industry is principally positive. As we enter an election year in the UK, unlike Jumanji that went on to have a sequel, we can say with a degree of confidence that the Government in the UK won’t be commissioned for an encore and held to account at the ballot box. Those that say, “they got Brexit done”, can be reminded they were not even the warm-up act.