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Question
The rule banning untreated shellfish imports has been in place for decades. The Secretary of State claimed the EU had changed its stance, leading to confusion and economic impact on shellfish businesses. Will he publish correspondence showing why a change was expected? What assessment has his Department made of business impacts?
Minister reply
We have indeed been working with the industry since September 2019 based on Commission guidance until recent changes. I am happy to put this correspondence in the Library, including letters exchanged recently. We do not want any change from existing laws which we believe support our position regarding trade of live bivalve molluscs.
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Question
This situation is disappointing and unfair to independent fishermen and wholesalers whose livelihoods depend on exporting live molluscs to the EU. Will my right hon. Friend redouble efforts to resolve this issue?
Minister reply
We are working closely with the EU to resolve what we believe is an error in interpretation of existing regulations by them. We will continue our efforts to uphold the law and ensure access for high-quality UK shellfish to the European market.
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Question
The past five weeks have been difficult for food-exporting businesses, facing bankruptcy due to regulatory issues. The MP criticised the government's handling of these problems and asked if they would accept blame and seek a grace period with new negotiations on market access, even if that means accepting some regulatory alignment.
Minister reply
The Minister did not accept responsibility or suggest seeking a grace period for regulatory alignment. Instead, he highlighted efforts to improve processes through discussions with EU authorities and emphasised the UK's commitment to self-governance.
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Question
The MP asked about improving food export rules and resolving issues as soon as possible.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the need to improve paperwork associated with shellfish exports, particularly for live consignments. He indicated a willingness to engage constructively in discussions with the EU.
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Question
Families in Flookburgh have seen their catch market impacted by Brexit. The MP asked for clarity on what compensation or restoration of access will be provided.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that the UK Government was disappointed with the EU's recent about-turn and would progress technical discussions to restore export rights, citing legal grounds against such a ban.
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Question
The MP expressed frustration over changes in rules governing unpurified shellfish exports.
Minister reply
The Minister shared the frustration, noting that the EU's change of stance was unjustified given previous assurances.
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Question
The MP sought clarity on measures to support Northern Ireland’s shellfish industry and maximise quota opportunities.
Minister reply
The Minister explained that the ban affects GB trade but not bivalve molluscs landed or farmed in Northern Ireland. He also mentioned working on other issues with the Northern Ireland industry, including quota allocation.
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Question
The MP offered condolences for a fisherman's death and suggested funding for setting up necessary processing plants in the UK.
Minister reply
The Minister expressed condolences, agreeing with the need to consider supporting industry procurement of depuration equipment if EU access cannot be restored.
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Question
The MP questioned the Government's responsibility for Welsh shellfish export issues and asked for guarantees on export facilities costs.
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that EU guidelines allowed this trade, but acknowledged ongoing efforts to ensure adherence to existing laws. He stated consideration of further steps if necessary.
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Question
The MP suggested moving towards an arbitration panel for SPS issues and compensation.
Minister reply
The Minister indicated discussions on forming committees under the UK-EU trade deal, emphasising ongoing technical level cooperation to resolve difficulties.
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Question
The Prime Minister and Conservative Ministers made grand promises about how they would take back control of our fishing waters. The reality, however, is that our shellfish industry is on the verge of collapse due to costly new red tape and bureaucracy holding back British businesses. Does the Secretary of State accept that no business, consumer or community should have to pay the price for this Government’s incompetence?
Minister reply
The trade and co-operation agreement delivered a 25% uplift in fishing opportunities and an abandonment of relative stability as quid pro quo for granting EU access to UK waters. The government announced a £23 million fisheries disruption fund to support businesses struggling with paperwork initially.
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Question
Fishermen who land scallops into Scarborough and Whitby have been told there is no market for their fish due to current EU regulations. Is this situation an example of the European Commission's vindictiveness or incompetence? Will he write to the chair of the European Parliament Fisheries Committee?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees to write to the fisheries committee to apprise them of discussions with the European Commission and hopes that the judgment on the legal position will be reconsidered.
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Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
What compensation do the Government intend to provide to the shellfish industry and other fishing industries, including boats like Kirkella which remain tied up in Hull unable to fish?
Minister reply
The government announced a £23 million fisheries disruption fund for exporters who faced difficulties sending consignments of shellfish during January. The issue of access to Norwegian waters is not unusual and should be resolved once an agreement is in place.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State work with retailers to promote UK fish domestically? Will he urgently make grants available for shellfish cleansing facilities?
Minister reply
The minister agrees that building domestic demand is important and the government will co-fund a project with Seafish to help build demand.
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Question
Scotland Food and Drink has expressed uncertainty about business operations. Does suggesting businesses 'give it a go' alleviate their concerns or perpetuate them?
Minister reply
The minister states they have been working closely with the industry to iron out difficulties, meeting twice weekly in stakeholder groups to resolve problems.
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Question
My right hon. Friend has tried his best but now must show the EU that we will not surrender to its games over shellfish exports by starting necessary boardings on EU vessels in our EEZ?
Minister reply
The minister thanks her and states there is no obligation for a continued pragmatic approach; he wants reciprocation from the EU. Any EU vessel accessing UK waters must abide by UK law.
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Question
Our superb west country shellfish sector faces ruin due to botched Brexit deal. Why not agree to European food standards as Norway does?
Minister reply
The minister argues that aligning with EU standards would not solve the issue since regulations for depurating molluscs from class B waters already exist in EU law and our own standards are higher.
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Question
On vaccines, Northern Ireland and fishing, is it not the case that the EU says one thing and does the other? Will the Government supercharge investment in UK fish processing industry?
Minister reply
The minister agrees to support coastal communities with a £100 million fund for aquaculture, port facilities and fish processing.
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Question
Did the Secretary of State know that the Prime Minister's EU deal on Christmas Eve might mean export bans for fishermen from south Wales fishing in Welsh sea waters? Why not make arrangements?
Minister reply
The minister states they did not know there would be such a ban as the European Commission initially stated trade could continue with exceptions.
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Question
Businesses like Menai Oysters and Mussels in my constituency are struggling to export their molluscs due to grade B Welsh sea waters not being accepted into EU ports. What can be done?
Minister reply
The minister is doing everything possible to get the European Union to revisit its decision, believing that it is unjustified under animal health or public health reasons.
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Question
The UK currently has a very basic trading regime with the EU with respect to food, akin to World Trade Organisation rules. Surely these problems with shellfish and other food exports point to the need for a UK-EU veterinary agreement, which could be negotiated through the sanitary and phytosanitary standards specialised committee. Does the Secretary of State recognise that such an agreement would go a long way to defusing many of the current tensions around the Northern Ireland protocol?
Minister reply
I very much agree with the point that the hon. Gentleman raises. During the negotiations, we made arguments for equivalence but the EU was unwilling at that time. However, now that the trade and co-operation agreement is in place, we hope the EU will see fit to be more pragmatic and proportionate.
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Question
At the weekend, I got to enjoy some amazing St Austell bay mussels... However, that exceptional produce, along with Cornish scallops and Cornish oysters, currently cannot be enjoyed by people in France or across Europe due to policy changes. The Secretary of State will know what a devastating impact this is having on the Cornish fishing industry and how urgently action is required. What discussions has he had with the European Commission about its change in policy, and what hope can he give us of progress being made in the coming days?
Minister reply
My officials and the chief veterinary officer have been in regular dialogue with EU officials over the last couple of weeks on this matter, and a letter to Commissioner Kyriakides was sent today requesting an urgent discussion.
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Question
Deepdock, a mussel exporting specialist, says that it now requires 41 pieces of paper to ship 10 bags of mussels to the EU where only one was required before. Is this just a teething issue, or is it yet another sign that the Tories’ Brexit deal has completely failed the UK’s fishing industry and communities?
Minister reply
It is true that export health certificates are now required for all fish and products of animal origin. While some forms prescribed by EU regulations can be clunky, we are seeking to learn from this experience and encourage the EU to change its form design.
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Question
This arbitrary action by the European Commission is causing real concern in fishing communities that have already suffered losses from export disruption, and I urge the Secretary of State to confirm details of the compensation scheme. While I strongly support his efforts to have this ban lifted, will he also put in place contingency arrangements to support fishing firms in King’s Lynn and elsewhere, with grants for purification facilities?
Minister reply
As well as seeking to unblock this problem with the Commission and resume trade, we are considering other options including interventions such as grants for purification facilities.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State have any idea of the devastating financial impact that the ban is going to have on historic cockling communities such as Penclawdd in Gower? What conversations has he been having with the Welsh Government to ensure that the fisheries disruption fund reaches Penclawdd?
Minister reply
We realise this situation is devastating for many sections of the mollusc industry. A large proportion of bivalve molluscs are exported, and we are working hard to get the Commission to revisit its decision. Conversations have been had with the Welsh Government about the fisheries disruption fund, which will be open to anyone who attempted to export and ran into difficulties.
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Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his letter to the EU Commission that addressed these issues, but what is being done to ensure that generations of fishermen, such as those in Ilfracombe in my North Devon constituency, can return their fleets to the waters and do not moor up forever? Will my right hon. Friend assure desperate fishermen who have had no income all year that they can rapidly access the announced £23 million and the £100 million fund, to give them hope for the future?
Minister reply
We will soon announce further details on the fisheries disruption fund for those exporters who encountered difficulties in January. The fund is there to support scallop producers as well as other shellfish industries facing issues due to the EU’s change of heart.
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Question
I associate myself with the comments of colleagues and send my condolences to the family of the fisherman who was lost this weekend. I thank my right hon. Friend for his work to resolve this matter. It is vital that the cash assistance reaches not only the affected shellfish exporters but the smallest boats on the Fal estuary, which are currently tied up and facing serious difficulties. What is my right hon. Friend’s assessment of the opinion of some in the industry that its French market was intact and profitable despite restaurants being closed in November and December?
Minister reply
We have been working to try to get the position resolved. There will be a good future for our fishing industry once these particular issues are resolved, including support for heritage oyster fisheries such as those on the Fal estuary.