Shellfish: UK Trade with EU

(asked on 11th February 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to alleviate the difficulties trading with the EU experienced by UK shellfish exporters since 1 January 2021.


Answered by
Victoria Prentis Portrait
Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
This question was answered on 22nd February 2021

Defra is working with other government departments, industry and EU authorities to ensure smooth trade flow and minimise disruption at the border. We have established a weekly seafood exports working group to identify issues and resolve across government. A joint Defra/HMRC support package of guidance and training has also been issued to exporters, including sector-specific technical workshops for shellfish exporters. A £23 million fund has also been made available to support seafood businesses, covering losses caused by delays incurred between 1 - 31 January, with applications now open.

With regard to live bivalve molluscs, we continue to raise the issue with the EU to seek urgent resolution to their unacceptable change of position regarding exports from ‘Class B’ waters. We have offered to provide reasonable additional reassurances to demonstrate shellfish health, on the understanding the Commission must recognise the existing high standards and history of UK-EU trade.

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