Food and Drink Exports to the EU 2021-04-22
2021-04-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned recent trends in UK food and drink exports to the EU post-Brexit, noting significant declines due to coronavirus restrictions and new procedures.
What recent assessment has been made by his Department on trends in UK food and drink exports to the EU? The combination of falling demand due to coronavirus and new procedures led to a significant drop in January but recovered 77% in February. What will it take for Ministers to act, or do we have to wait for a text from a crony?
We took action when there were teething problems in January. Exports increased by 77% in February, with export health certificates continuing to grow. The situation is improving.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for substantive actions but received general statements about improvement without specific measures or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted specific declines in fish, cheese, and seafood exports due to Brexit issues, questioning the lack of concrete action from the government despite previous excuses.
Since Brexit, fish and cheese exports collapsed with various excuses. Seafood saw reclassification issues. What will it take for Ministers to act, or do we have to wait for a text from a crony?
We took action immediately when there were teething problems in January. The trend is improving, with exports increasing by 77% in February and export health certificates continuing to grow.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for specific actions but received general statements about improvement without concrete steps or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted that Scottish exports account for a quarter of UK food and drink exports, suffering significant losses due to new export health certificates for composite goods.
Scottish exports make up 25% of UK food and drink exports. They lost hundreds of millions in sales from January to February with some products losing market share. New regulations for export health certificates will further impact them. Vets say they lack capacity to deal with this new chaos. What plans do the Government have?
We worked closely with industry over months, knowing the EU would change export health certificates for composite goods from April 21. We secured replacement health certificates and private attestations where needed.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about specific government plans but received general statements on working with industry without concrete measures or commitments.
Response accuracy