Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Import Checks: Live Animals and Products

Thursday 4 March 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is conducting checks on live animals with full documentary and physical checks at destination premises.
  • Some documentary checks on products of animal origin will be introduced next month, followed by physical checks from July.
  • Negotiations with the EU for a digital system to ease exports and imports are not specified, but export health certificates will be similar to those in Europe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Parish Con
Brexit Environment
Context

The Department is preparing to implement checks on imports of animal and germinal products, as well as live animals from the EU starting in July 2021.

Question

What preparations his Department is making prior to the implementation of checks on imports of (a) animal and germinal products and (b) live animals from the EU in July 2021?

Answer from George Eustice

We are already conducting some checks on live animals, with full documentary checks and physical checks being conducted at the premises of destination. We plan to introduce some documentary checks on products of animal origin next month and then begin some physical checks from July onwards, and also to introduce similar checks on plant products later this year. Recruitment of staff by the port health authorities is at an advanced stage.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Neil Parish Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Fish and meat exporters are struggling with excessive paperwork required by the EU, highlighting potential issues when UK starts making checks this summer.

Question

Could we negotiate with the EU a digital system to make it easier for businesses both to export and to import?

Answer from George Eustice

Unlike the European Union, we have taken a pragmatic approach to phasing in border controls, so that we can protect business supply chains and UK consumers, but when we do start to introduce those export health certificates, they will be certificates that are of a similar form to those of the European Union, since they are derived from retained EU law. I understand the point my hon. Friend is making, but we should also remain conscious that the primary focus of these checks is to protect food standards and animal health.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Negotiations for a digital system or similar easing measures were not addressed.

How: We Have Taken A Pragmatic Approach

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email