Brexit round-up – 14/02/20

Salmon farmers face “huge unnecessary burdens”

The chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), Julie Hesketh-Laird, has said planned changes after Brexit which will require salmon farmers to have an export health certificate for every consignment, signed by a vet or health official, will create “huge unnecessary burdens” for UK salmon farmers.  Depending on the fees set by councils that could mean up to 100,000 certificates a year, with the cost estimated at up to £9 million annually, and would create delays to the departure of fresh fish.  She said “Any extra cost will eventually be borne by the consumer, so keeping the bureaucracy and administrative costs to a minimum is really important.”  The Government has said that it would inform producers later this year on the measures they needed to take.

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“UK trade will be better outside EU” says former Chancellor

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, said that UK trade will thrive despite the introduction of UK border checks after the Brexit transition period which will end on 31 December 2020.  He said “we have a better future as an independent sovereign nation trading with European friends, but also trading more so with the rest of the world.”  He has urged the EU to consider Britain’s financial sector as “equivalent”, in order to protect its access to the bloc however the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has said that this was not up for discussion.  The chancellor said he was confident the bloc would change its mind saying “Look back at withdrawal agreement, there were things that EU would reject… only to change their mind later on.”  He has also said that “private discussions” with the EU that made him “very confident about the future.”

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Councils call for urgent consultations on trade

Council leaders have called for the Government to ‘urgently’ consult with councils on how post-Brexit trade checks might affect port authorities so they can ensure that the right resources and capacities are available to carry out checks post-Brexit.   Cllr Kevin Bentley, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Brexit Taskforce has said that councils will see an impact on transport infrastructure and will require more resources to deal with the increased workload.  He said “The sooner councils receive clarity surrounding how these border controls will apply, the better they will be able to plan for them.  In order to support councils carry out a greater number of checks on goods arriving and to prevent disruption at ports, councils will also need additional resources and capacity, particularly environmental health officers and veterinary staff.”

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Government confirms import controls after transition period

The Government has confirmed plans to introduce import controls on EU goods at the border after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020 which will treat all UK imports and exports equally and will require traders in the EU and GB to submit customs declarations and be liable to goods’ checks.  Businesses will need to ensure they have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number.  Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said “The UK will be outside the single market and outside the customs union, so we will have to be ready for the customs procedures and regulatory checks that will inevitably follow.”

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Shoppers warned Brexit could create shortage of fruit and veg

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is warning that new border checks for traders from January 2021 will means that there will be shortages of fresh fruit and vegetable and price increases.  Even if a trade deal is reached with the EU the border checks will inevitable cause problems for suppliers and consumers as it will cause lorries to be held at the border and even checks taking two minutes could lead to 17 mile tailbacks as the current infrastructure will be unable to cope.  Andrew Opie, the BRC’s director of food, said “There will definitely be a problem with availability if we don’t see a massive upgrade of how those facilities work.  “Also, let’s not forget, additional friction will lead to additional costs and that will impact on consumers as well.”

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If you have any questions about any of the issues which are raised, or would like to discuss your own organisation’s options during the Brexit process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.