New Environment Minister
Rebecca Pow MP has joined Defra as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, where she will be responsible for the same portfolio that Thérèse Coffey held prior to her departure, which includes domestic marine policy.
In addition, Zac Goldsmith MP has been promoted to Minister of State for Defra and the Department for International Development and will be attending Cabinet.
Future of the Fisheries Bill
Due to the prorogation of Parliament, all bills that were not passed in the last Parliament cannot be progressed and that includes the Fisheries Bill.
Defra will look to reintroduce the Fisheries Bill as soon as possible to fulfill their ambitious plans to deliver a framework for a profitable and sustainable fishing industry outside of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Business readiness
1. Upcoming Defra business readiness events
These events are provided to help seafood traders, processors and businesses understand the changes that lie ahead and what they can do to prepare. If you think you could benefit from attending one of these sessions, the next events will take place at:
• 26th September – Fleetwood
• 4th October – London
You can register on Eventbrite. If you have any further queries on the events, please contact fishEUexit@defra.gov.uk.
2. BEIS One Government Brexit Events
BEIS is hosting a series of Business Readiness Event to help you find out what actions your business needs to take to prepare for Brexit.
The events will combine a keynote address, interactive support, advice stands and in-depth sessions led by subject matter experts. They will provide you with specific business-focused advice and help.
3. HMRC webinars
HMRC is running a series of webinars during September aimed at providing an overview for UK businesses involved in the movement of goods between the EU and the UK. Topics to be covered include:
- Why it’s important to apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number (EORI)
- What Transitional Simplified Procedures are
- How to prepare to make customs declarations
- What Entry Summary Declarations are
- How to pay the correct Customs Duty and VAT
- New gov.uk Brexit readiness site
The gov.uk Brexit website has been updated. It provides detailed updates on what you need to do in the event of a no deal Brexit.
You can also subscribe to Defra e-alerts to get the latest information about Brexit, as well as broader Defra news. To register visit defra.gov.uk, scroll down and click the Defra email alert icon under Follow Us to subscribe.
EU labour requirements
The Home Office has issued further guidance on the immigration arrangements for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who move to the UK after Brexit if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Find out more on gov.uk/homeoffice.
EU listing for exporters and suppliers
If we leave the EU without a deal, all UK establishments (e.g. fish, shellfish, or fish product wholesalers or processing plants) will need to be listed as approved establishments with the EU if they either:
- export products of animal origin (POAO), some live animals (for example shellfish), and any animal by-products direct to the EU
- supply other UK establishments that export these goods to the EU
Defra is preparing to submit a list of establishments that want to export commodities other than animal by-products to the EU. If you haven’t yet added your establishment to the list, or you are unsure please email: eulistings@food.gov.uk.
Final call
Deadline: Grant scheme for business readiness activities
The grant scheme for business organisations and trade associations to support businesses in preparing for Brexit ahead of 31 October 2019, remains open for applications until Monday 30 September 2019.
Deadline: Call for evidence on additional quota
Our call for evidence on allocating additional fishing quota in England closes today (13 September 2019).
Stakeholder Engagement and Briefing Hub
Marine and Fisheries
FishEUexit@defra.gov.uk
