Firms struggle with ink colour in Brexit confusion

Scottish companies are struggling with the paperwork associated with Brexit
Scottish companies are struggling with the paperwork associated with Brexit
JANE BARLOW/PA

Exporters wrestling with post-Brexit customs rules are having to squabble over whether to use red or blue ink, a Scottish trade body has claimed.

James Withers, the head of Scotland Food and Drink, said the sector had lost about £1 million in sales a day during an “absolutely dreadful” few weeks since the Brexit transition period ended.

He told MSPs that companies had to solve problems like “whack-a-mole”, including whether forms should be filled in red or blue ink.

“You think you get the right colour of ink and you’re told that the signature needs to be in a different colour to the colour that the letterhead is on,” he told the Europe committee.

“Part of the challenge here, particularly [on] the other side of