Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on the (a) costs, (b) regulatory burden and (c) certification processes for UK fish exporters to the EU.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
In the event of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement in place, the EU will require UK exporters to provide a Catch Certificate and an Export Health Certificate (EHC) when exporting most fish and fisheries products to the EU. Direct landings made by UK fishing vessels into EU ports will need to be accompanied by a Catch Certificate but will not require an EHC.
Export health certification is a devolved matter. Responsibility for Scottish exports to third countries lies with the Scottish Government. The Animal and Plant Health Authority issues EHCs for Scotland. Charges for signing EHCs vary by local authority and are made on a cost recovery basis. The consolidation of export consignments into larger consignments covered by a single certificate could reduce this cost burden.
The UK Government and the Marine Management Organisation have developed an IT system to allow exporters to obtain a Catch Certificate around the clock at no cost to the exporter. Assuming that the information submitted is correct, the Catch Certificate will be issued immediately without the need for further checks before export.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of reviewing environmental funding in tandem with periodic reviews of progress under the 25 Year Environment Plan to ensure that sufficient funding is available to achieve the Government's intended environmental targets after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
This is a devolved matter and the below information relates to England only. The Government will report annually on progress towards meeting the goals set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. These annual reports will explore what further action is required to meet these goals including delivery mechanisms, resources and consideration of available sources of funding.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has for farming policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
Our plans for future farming policy are set out in the Agriculture Bill. At the heart of our new policy in England will be a system that pays public money for public goods, rewarding farmers for enhancing animal welfare, improving soil health and creating habitats for wildlife. We are also introducing measures to support investment in farm productivity and to improve fairness in the supply chain.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has had made of the effect on the Scottish seafood industry in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
The government has published guidance for the whole UK seafood sector on what steps should be taken to prepare for no deal. This is available at the following link:
As set out in the Fisheries White Paper, the Government is committed to seeking a deep and special partnership with the EU, encompassing the best possible deal for the seafood sector. This includes the shellfish, processing and aquaculture sectors, while ensuring that consumers continue to have a wide choice of high-quality food products at affordable prices.
Asked by: Bill Grant (Conservative - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK has more control of its fishing waters after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
After leaving the EU, the UK will become an independent coastal state under international law (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and will have the right to control and manage access to fish in UK waters out to 200 nautical miles or the median line.