The House of Lords is set to grill Michael Gove on why his department is at “high risk” in a no-deal Brexit.
It comes as the National Audit Office recently concluded in a new report that Defra is at high risk of not delivering all its EU Exit portfolio in a no-deal scenario.
And now the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee, on Wednesday 17th October, will scrutinise the department's preparations for a no deal Brexit with the Secretary of State.
The Government have published a series of guidance notices, aimed at helping businesses to prepare for a ‘no deal’ scenario, and they make clear that the consequences of ’no deal’ on the UK’s agriculture could be severe.
Unless the UK can secure ‘listed’ third country status, no animals could be exported to the EU, and UK mineral water would not be able to be sold in the EU unless it was recognised one of the remaining Member States.
Pet owners would be required to go through a longer and more rigorous process of blood tests and paperwork before being able to travel with their animal. All food labels will also have to be changed.
The Committee will explore the extent to which the Government is prepared for a ‘no deal’ scenario, including issues such as whether there will be time to recruit the additional vets that will be required and how many of the 93 pieces of secondary legislation required will be completed by March 2019.
The evidence session will begin at 11.15am in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords and is open to the public.
