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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to the fishing industry of additional export documentation and border checks introduced since January 2021.

The Government recognises that exporters have faced additional administrative requirements since January 2021. The research project Quantifying Non-Tariff Measure on GB to EU Agri-food gathered extensive information on the costs of administrative requirements for exporters can be found here. However, it is important to stress that the costs vary substantially by business, market, consignment type, and supply chain arrangements.

In May 2025, the Government and the European Commission agreed to pursue a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement that will significantly reduce these costs and make it easier, cheaper and quicker to move food, plants, animals, and related goods across our borders.