Fresh concerns raised in Defra's ability to withstand 'no deal' Brexit

Fresh concerns have been raised over Defra's preparations in the event of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union.

In a letter to Defra Secretary Michael Gove, the House of Lords' EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has expressed "serious concerns" about his department's preparations. It follows Mr Gove appearing in front of the Committee last week.

Defra is one of the government departments most affected by EU Exit. It is responsible for 55 of the 319 EU related work streams across government, covering chemical and agri-food industries, agriculture, fisheries and the environment.

The National Audit Office recently concluded that the department is at "high risk" of not delivering all its EU Exit portfolio in a no-deal scenario.

And a report released in May by the Public Accounts Committee also raised concerns, highlighting how the lack of preparations not only leaves the department in the dark, but also farming and rural businesses.

In their new letter, the Lords' Committee’s raises five key concerns to the Defra Secretary.

It asks Mr Gove whether there will be a delay in the UK being able to export animals to the EU. Unless the Government can persuade the EU to give the UK ‘listed’ status in advance of Brexit, all animal exports could be halted for months.

All animal exports that currently travel Dover-Calais will have to be re-routed, the letter states. Calais does not have a Border Inspection Post; something all animal exports would have to pass through in a ‘no deal’ scenario.

The Government’s ability to control access to UK waters is also touched upon. The Committee were concerned that Mr Gove had yet to receive permission to obtain the additional staff and boats required for fisheries control and enforcement.

No agreement has been reached on how shipments of waste from the UK to the EU will be approved. The waste industry has told the Committee that this could lead to 1.8m tonnes of waste being ‘stranded’ in the UK.

Lastly, the letter states that Mr Gove seemed unaware that UK chemical companies may not own the rights to the data that proves their chemicals are safe to use.

The Government’s plans for the chemical industry in the case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit are predicated on companies being able to provide this.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We remain confident that we will agree a mutually advantageous deal with the EU, however it is the duty of a responsible Government to prepare for a range of potential outcomes including ‘no deal’.

“Defra is working hard to carry out extensive preparations to make sure environmental, welfare, and biosecurity standards will continue to be met in a way that supports trade and the smooth flow of goods.”