On Monday the EU27 agreed that it will accept the UK’s request for a Brexit extension until 31 January 2020, meaning we will not be leaving the EU on 31 October 2019. As a result, Government is adapting plans and preparations, including pausing key elements of the ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ campaign, to reflect this new position.
The Government’s preference is to leave the EU with a deal. However, if the Withdrawal Agreement is not ratified by UK and EU Parliaments, then it remains the default position that the UK would leave without a deal on 31 January 2020.
Defra has provided important information for everyone to be aware of what changes could affect the day-to-day running of business operations. Agri-Food businesses should ensure that they are prepared for EU Exit and visit GOV.UK for guidance.
Specific information for the food and drink sector is available, including advice for importers and exporters of animal products, and advice about food labelling, tariffs, data protection and more. It also includes advice for employers.
Here are some useful additional Defra and industry links:
The Association of Labour Providers (ALP) is hosting a number of free Brexit workshops across the country. These are open to all UK recruiters, HR professionals and employers, and will provide specific, practical guidance on the actions that businesses need to take in respect of their existing and future EU workforce. Sign up to the events here.
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.
A Defra e-alert system will help individuals and businesses get ready for Brexit, inform them about broader Defra news and also wider Government initiatives relevant to Defra stakeholders. You can subscribe to Defra e-alerts to receive the latest information about Brexit from Defra as well as broader Defra news.
Visit defra.gov.uk and press the Defra e-alert icon under Follow Us.
While imports will continue as now during the transition period, the EU are making changes to the pre-notification system. The TRACES Classic will shortly be switched off, and you need to register and be ready to use TRACES NT - the new EU pre-notification system – to pre-notify of relevant goods when the switchover happens. More information is available here.
Updated rules for exporting horses and other equines, including ponies and donkeys, and what you need to do in a no-deal Brexit.
The UK benefits from trade agreements with other countries through membership of the EU. When we leave the EU some of these agreements won’t apply. Be ready and prepare your business with these steps:
Immigration arrangements for EU citizens arriving after 31 October
The food labelling awareness campaign has re-launched to remind businesses to make changes to their product labels to be ready for Brexit
Our Dropbox link has resources that you can access. Click here or copy this link into a compatible browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari): https://shwca.se/FoodBrexit.
On Tuesday 8 October the Government published a statement re-confirming the temporary tariff rates that would apply to the agri-food and other sectors if the UK left the EU without a deal on 31 October.
There are three specific changes affecting HGVs, bioethanol and clothing. Further information about these tariff rates can be found here.
The Government published the Brexit readiness report detailing the UK's preparedness ahead of Brexit on 31 October. This report was published to inform businesses and citizens on what they need to do to get ready for Brexit. Please find the report here.
HMRC have published information videos for traders in a no-deal Brexit. Find further information about Transitional Simplified Procedures, Exporting using the Common Transit Convention and a webinar about the five main areas that UK businesses must be aware of to keep trading goods when the UK leaves the EU. Please find these videos here.
Access free, impartial and confidential support from four charities via one ‘phone number: 03000 111 999
The Farming Help partnership at https://www.farminghelp.co.uk is a collaboration between the Addington Fund, the Farming Community Network, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and RSABI.
If you have further questions, please contact:
Brexit Import and Export Helpline: 0300 3301 331
Product and agreement specific queries
Defra Helpline: 03459 33 55 77
The Department for International Trade also has an online enquiries service here.
T: 02476 857 200
F: 02476 857 229
Designed by Kevyn Williams