Seafood exports to the EU

Early day motion 1348, tabled 13 January 2021 by Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party). Signed by 19 members.

That this House notes the additional costs incurred by seafood exporters as a result of Brexit; understands that businesses are now required to meet a number of additional safety standards to transport goods into the European single market; notes the additional administrative burden on exporters alongside the time delay has cost companies in lost contracts, reduced prices for produce, extra costs to meet safety requirements and lost custom; notes that this is compounded by Covid-19 restrictions and additional testing required for drivers to cross the channel; acknowledges commitments from the Government prior to the end of the transition period that exporters would not face disruption as a result of Brexit; believes that leaving the single market and customs union has resulted in exporters losing income at an already challenging time; understands that as a result of the additional logistical challenges, DFDS, a large fish haulage company with bases across the UK, has suspended groupage transportation indefinitely; calls on the UK Government to ensure compensation for seafood exporters that have lost substantially as a result of Brexit and to continue negotiations with the EU to ensure the overly restrictive process is streamlined.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 13, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour 2, DUP 1.