EU trade friction is price UK has to pay to be sovereign after Brexit – Leadsom

Friction in the trading relationship with the European Union is the “price” the UK is paying to be a “sovereign state again” after Brexit, a Government minister has said.

Dame Andrea Leadsom, a Conservative health minister and prominent Leave supporter, said businesses would have to “adapt” after the introduction on Wednesday of new post-Brexit checks on food, drink and some agricultural imports, including fresh flowers.

The long-delayed new rules are part of the UK Government’s introduction of a series of checks this year.

have been expressed about the disruption the changes could