Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Food Imports and Exports

Thursday 21 January 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government engaged extensively with industry to prevent disruption to food imports and exports.
  • Government is issuing about 150 export health certificates per day, and the volume of lorries through short straits is back up to around 6,000-7,000 daily.
  • HMRC is looking at issues related to rules of origin which affect some sectors, and a 23 million fund was announced to help affected fishing businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted concerns about disruption to food trade post-Brexit transition period, citing specific businesses in her constituency facing issues.

Question

What steps has the government taken to prevent disruption to food imports and exports since the end of the transition period?

Answer from George Eustice

We have engaged extensively with industry, established a phased approach to border controls, supported exporters familiarising themselves with new processes like export health certificates and customs declarations, liaised closely with EU states such as France, and worked with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport.

Answered
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Q2 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Immigration Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquired about measures to prevent more disruption and costly delays as trade volumes increase, concerned about job impacts.

Question

What measures are being taken by the government to prevent border disruptions and delays for food exporters when trade volumes pick up? What assessment has been made of the impact on jobs?

Answer from George Eustice

The fishing sector faces difficulties due to time-critical nature; overall system is working well, issuing about 150 export health certificates per day. Volume of lorries through short straits back up to around 6,000-7,000 daily.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address potential job losses due to delays or specific measures for volume increase scenarios

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Q3 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlighted a local business in Ealing experiencing delays due to new border rules and increased costs, questioning if the government can fix rules of origin.

Question

Dina Foods faces significant paperwork and cost issues post-Brexit, leading to delays. Will Ministers address the problems with rules of origin?

Answer from George Eustice

HMRC is looking at issues related to rules of origin which affect some sectors. Border flow continues despite additional paperwork due to leaving customs union and single market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions regarding rules of origin or commitment to fix them

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Q4 Neil Parish Con
Immigration Business & Trade
Context

The MP praised the Secretary's work on Brexit deal but expressed concerns about current problems and delays reducing fish value, seeking compensation options.

Question

What compensation can be given to people affected by border delays? What more can the government do to ease goods flow through borders?

Answer from George Eustice

One-to-one support is offered to fishing enterprises struggling with new paperwork from HMRC or APHA. A £23 million fund was announced to help affected fishing businesses.

Answered
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Q5 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP referenced headlines about rotting pig heads in Rotterdam due to Brexit delays, questioning if these are structural issues and seeking government action.

Question

Does the Secretary agree that problems faced by the meat industry are not just teething issues? What will he do about it?

Answer from George Eustice

Goods such as lamb and dairy goods are flowing. Delays are due to border officials in France and the Netherlands adjusting to new processes; we intervene to help businesses concerned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge structural issues or provide specific actions beyond intervention for individual cases

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Q6 Deidre Brock SNP
Brexit
Context

The MP expressed frustration over the collapse of Peterhead's largest fish market, questioning if government will seek grace periods or new negotiations.

Question

Will Ministers explain their plans to sort out collapsed fish markets? Will they go back to the EU for grace periods and new talks on market access?

Answer from George Eustice

No.

Not addressed: Did not provide any plan or explanation for addressing collapsed fish markets

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