Minister warns of the dangers of crashing out of EU

CRASHING out of the EU without a deal could decimate the Welsh farming and fishing industries, a senior Welsh Government cabinet minister has warned.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said the country’s red meat and shellfish sectors will be particularly vulnerable to a no-deal Brexit as both rely on the EU for 90% of their exports.

As Welsh shellfish are shipped live to EU markets within 24 hours, any delays in the supply chain will affect quality and mortality, causing prices to slump, she said.

Ongoing problems could even cause the industry to collapse, said the minister, who warned the fishing industry needs to start preparing now for a no-deal Brexit.

To help sea food firms get Brexitready, whatever the outcome, the Welsh Government is holding a series of Fisheries advisory events over the coming week.

Mrs Griffiths spoke out about her concerns a day before the meaningful vote and ahead of a meeting with the UK Government and devolved administrations.

She said a no-deal Brexit must be avoided at all costs to protect Wales’s rural and coastal communities. “A no-deal combined with the removal of UK import tariffs would be the worst case scenario for Welsh and British agriculture, allowing cheap food imports at a time when our exports could be subject to tariffs of up to 50% for some sectors,” she said.

“This would also be the case for our shellfish industry, which is equally dependent on exporting to the EU.

“Any delays at ports preventing delivery of the live products within 24 hours could potentially wipe out the industry.”

The prospect of high tariffs in the absence of a Brexit will only add to the cost of exporting, said Mrs Griffiths.

It would also mean all consignments of live animals – and products of animal origin – will need an export health certificate.

These will then need to enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post – not available in Calais – adding to the costs of production and bureaucracy.

The minister added: “Our food companies are already experiencing difficulties recruiting from the EU due to the initial drop in the value of sterling.

“A further reduction would only exacerbate these difficulties.

“I make no apology for outlining these very real prospects of a no deal. We cannot underestimate or ignore the truly devastating impact crashing out of the EU will have on our industries.”

In the absence of deal, most fish and fish products will require a catch certificate for import or export between the UK and EU. This will also apply to fishing boats that land fish directly at EU ports.

These certificates prove fish have been caught in line with established conservation and management measures.

Mrs Griffiths said: “We need to plan ahead for all eventualities and our fishing industry needs to be prepared for a no-deal Brexit. That’s why they need to be aware of the processes they must undertake.”

A new IT system to process and issue export catch certificates, and other supporting documentation, is being developed to help streamline the process.

Exporters will receive full instructions on how to register and use the new system before March 29.

Import catch certificates will continue to be processed through the current paper-based system.

As well as documents required under the EU’s IUU regulations, a no-deal Brexit will require fish importers and exporters to follow additional steps to comply with health and customs rules.