PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Seafood exports to the EU (13 January 2021)

That this House notes the additional costs incurred by seafood exporters as a result of Brexit; understands that businesses are now required to meet a number of additional safety standards to transport goods into the European single market; notes the additional administrative burden on exporters alongside the time delay has cost companies in lost contracts, reduced prices for produce, extra costs to meet safety requirements and lost custom; notes that this is compounded by Covid-19 restrictions and additional testing required for drivers to cross the channel; acknowledges commitments from the Government prior to the end of the transition period that exporters would not face disruption as a result of Brexit; believes that leaving the single market and customs union has resulted in exporters losing income at an already challenging time; understands that as a result of the additional logistical challenges, DFDS, a large fish haulage company with bases across the UK, has suspended groupage transportation indefinitely; calls on the UK Government to ensure compensation for seafood exporters that have lost substantially as a result of Brexit and to continue negotiations with the EU to ensure the overly restrictive process is streamlined.

Sponsored by:
Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party)