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Latest DEFRA Resources for EU Exit (23 September)

The UK will leave the EU on 31 October. Agri-Food businesses should ensure that they are prepared for EU Exit and continue to visit GOV.UK for guidance. Specific guidance for food and drink businesses is available on the Food and Drink GOV.UK landing page, including advice for importers and exporters of animal products, and advice about food labelling, tariffs, data protection and more.

We’ve collated key information from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) shareable resources, for week commencing 23rd September 2019.


1. Events and webinars to help you prepare for Brexit

There are several opportunities to access support and guidance to help you prepare for Brexit.

Brexit Business Readiness Events

The Government is arranging Brexit Business Readiness Events across the UK to help you prepare, starting Monday 16 September. Join us at a free event in your area to meet government advisers and to find out what actions your business needs to take to prepare.

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.

Register to attend an event at: https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/brexitbusinessreadinessevents/

DIT Get ready for Brexit business-facing workshops

As part of ongoing support for businesses, the Department for International Trade are running a series of events to help exporters to get ready for Brexit on 31 October. These events will be particularly useful for businesses who are exporting to the EU.

You’ll leave the event with a personalised action plan to prepare your business for Brexit. DIT will talk about impact to supply chains, changes to regulations and contracts, where to find tariff information, and what you might need to speak to customers and employees about, among a range of other topics.

See dates, locations and sign up – limited registration place available.

HMRC Getting ready for Brexit webinars

HMRC are running a number of webinars for UK businesses involved in the movement of goods between the EU and the UK.

Find out what you need to know to keep importing and exporting by signing up for a webinar.


2. New and updated guidance

Trading with the UK as an EU business after Brexit

If you’re an EU business not established in the UK, check what you’ll need to do differently to trade with the UK in a no-deal Brexit. The GOV.UK guidance can be found here. (Published 20th September).

Identify livestock for export to the EU in a no-deal Brexit

The UK can continue exporting livestock to the EU in a no-deal Brexit however there is a requirement to follow some extra rules on ear tagging. Please find GOV.UK guidance on how to identify sheep, cattle, pigs and goats when exporting to the EU in a no-deal Brexit. (Published 20th September).

How to move goods through RORO locations in a no deal Brexit: EU to UK and UK to EU

A process flow for freight roll-on, roll-off (RORO) imports and exports between the UK and the EU for a no-deal Brexit (excluding Northern Ireland) is available on GOV.UK here. (Published 23rd September).

Hauliers and commercial drivers: you will need new documents to transport goods into the EU after Brexit

GOV.UK guidance is available here summarizing document requirements for hauliers and commercial drivers. It includes a summary of the driver, vehicle, cargo and customs documents required to transport goods into the EU after Brexit. (Published 23rd September).

EU Regulation: Smarter rules for safer food

The EU are introducing new rules to protect against animal disease and plant pests. The new Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and Plant Health Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 will apply in EU member states from 14 December 2019. How and when the UK implements these regulations will depend on Brexit. UK exporters will need to comply with these regulations when they come into force in all Brexit scenarios. Further information on this can be found here.


3. News and resources

Press release – Government encourages food exporters to get ready for animal health regulations

Importers and exporters of animals and animal products are being urged to prepare for Brexit on 31 October, as these will be subject to new requirements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. This would include foodstuffs ranging from cuts of meat to cheese, as well as fish and fishery products. George Eustice MP shared his thoughts, which are available to read here. (Published 23rd September).

Food and drink showcase Dropbox with shareable resources

There is a new flyer and also poster-size format designed for the food and industry. Click here to access the files: https://shwca.se/FoodBrexit

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