Context
A butcher and deli in Chelsea and Fulham imports products from Spain, facing challenges due to Brexit paperwork. The business expects improvements thanks to the Government’s deal with the EU.
Question
One of the businesses that stands to benefit from the EU trade agreement is a butcher and deli in my constituency that imports a lot of its products from Spain. At the moment, its shelves are unfortunately half-empty because its small Spanish supplier—effectively a man with a van—says he simply cannot cope with all the Brexit form filling. However, he has said that he expects things to get better from later this year thanks to the Government’s deal with the EU, which is great news. Will the Minister set out what steps are being taken to implement the removal of the Brexit red tape of sanitary and phytosanitary checks, including the likely timetable?
Answer from The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I express my regret that that business, like so many across the country, finds itself buried in red tape as a consequence of the implementation of Brexit by the Conservative party. There are technical aspects of our agreement with the European Union that need to be worked through, but businesses across the country, such as the butchers and deli he described, will be willing us on in that endeavour.
Not addressed: Specific steps and timetable for implementing removal of sanitary and phytosanitary checks were not provided.
How: Regret, Technical Aspects Need To Be Worked Through
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