Up to 75% of trucks entering the UK from the EU were returning empty, an industry spokesman has said.

The British government did not confirm the data and said disruption at the border had been minimal since Britain completed its journey out of the EU’s orbit at the end of 2020 following an agreement on trading arrangements.

Since the start of the year, businesses and hauliers have had to adapt to new trading arrangements, including new systems for companies and officials in Northern Ireland.

Some businesses have struggled with new customs declarations and health certificates as the coronavirus pandemic also hit firms.

International members at the UK-based Road Haulage Association reported a 68% fall in exports in January, the group said.

“I find it deeply frustrating and annoying that those ministers have chosen not to listen to the industry and experts,” said RHA chief executive Richard Burnett.

The UK government said it engages with the sector and does “not recognise the figure provided on exports”.

“Thanks to the hard work of hauliers and traders to prepare for change, disruption at the border has so far been minimal and freight movements are now close to normal levels, despite the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement.

Mr Burnett wrote to Britain’s Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove earlier this month, following up on what he said were repeated warnings — over several months — of Brexit-related problems with exports leaving Britain for the EU.

He said there was an urgent need for an increased number of customs agents to help companies with paperwork and red tape.

There are currently around 10,000 customs agents in the UK — about a fifth of what the RHA deems as the required amount.

Mr Burnett said up to 75% of trucks entering the UK from the EU were returning empty due to there being no goods to bring back on account of hold-ups in the UK.

“Michael Gove is the master of extracting information from you and giving nothing back,” Mr Burnett told The Observer newspaper.