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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what plans they have to ensure that there are enough vets in place to create and sign off Export Health Certificates, ahead of the implementation of a new import regime.

It is the responsibility of the exporting country to ensure they create and sign off Export Health Certificates that confirm the consignment meets our high animal and public health requirements. GB health certificates required for imports from the EU and the rest of the world have all been made available online, simplifying the EU approach to embedding them in legislation.

Defra has provided £14 million in funding to Port Health Authorities to support the recruitment of staff, including Official Veterinarians, that are needed to carry out SPS checks when these goods arrive. This will include checks to ensure the goods have been certified appropriately.