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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Breeding (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 S.I., No. 117, what assessment he has made of the preparedness of the appropriate authorities defined in that instrument in each constituent part of the UK of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement on 31 October 2019.

Defra has been working closely with the Devolved Administrations to ensure preparedness in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. The existing EU regime will continue to apply in the UK, with the Animal Breeding (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations rolling over current EU legislation into UK law. As part of our no deal planning, Defra has applied to the EU Commission for third country listing of our UK animal breeding organisations so that they can continue to participate in zootechnical trade with EU breeding organisations.