Michael Gove says the UK will do 'whatever is required' to protect British fishing in row with Brussels over post-Brexit exports - as increasing number of exporters say they are facing delays and rising costs

  • Gove acknowledged 'bureaucratic obstacles' to negotiate with Brussels
  • Conservative MPs among those raising concerns over extra paperwork and costs
  • New ONS figures showed British exporters facing increasing problems at border
  • Fewer than half (45.5%) reported problem-free trade, down from 53.3% 
  • They cited disruption at the border and increases in transport costs and dutiesBritain is prepared to do 'whatever is required' to support its fishermen post-Brexit, Michael Gove said today - as new figures showed exporters are facing increasing problems at the UK borders.  

    The Cabinet Office minister acknowledged there are 'bureaucratic obstacles' to negotiate and navigate with Brussels, as he was pressed to support 'retaliation' against member state fishing vessels given the current difficulties experienced by the British industry.

    Conservative MPs were among those raising concerns over extra paperwork and additional costs faced by UK fishermen despite a free trade agreement with the EU.Mr Gove came under fire in the Commons as new figures from the Office for National Statistics  showed British exporters facing increasing problems with goods leaving the UK.

    Fewer than half (45.5 per cent) reported problem-free trade between late January and early February, down from 53.3 per cent in the previous fortnight.

    They cited increased disruption at the border and increases in transport costs and customs duties.

    The concerns were also echoed by import firms trying to bring goods into the UK. 

    The Cabinet Office minister acknowledged there are 'bureaucratic obstacles' to negotiate and navigate with Brussels, as he was pressed to support 'retaliation' against member state fishing vessels given the current difficulties experienced by the British industry

    The Cabinet Office minister acknowledged there are 'bureaucratic obstacles' to negotiate and navigate with Brussels, as he was pressed to support 'retaliation' against member state fishing vessels given the current difficulties experienced by the British industry

    What is the new paperwork delaying exports from Britain to the EU?

    EU customs declarations and extra checks are now required on goods moving from Britain to the EU.  

    This demands time-consuming paperwork which is then delayed further by customs checks. 

    The new red tape includes: 

    Export health certificate - Required for every food item to prove it is safe to eat.

    Customs export declarations - Describes the goods being exported. 

    Sanitary and phytosanitary checks - For certain live plant and animal products including root vegetables, leafy vegetables and most fruits.Mr Gove was quizzed over the massive problems faced by UK fish exporters and the fleets replying on the, in the Commons today.

    Cornish Conservative MP Sheryll Murray told the Commons: 'Fishing exporters in my constituency are having problems exporting to the EU. We signed a deal that said we could export to the EU.

    'What action is (Mr Gove) taking to ensure these exports happen without hindrance and will he start boarding EU vessels in retaliation if we still see this obstructive action on the part of the European Union?'

    Mr Gove responded: 'What we do need to do is make sure that any bureaucratic obstructions which individual EU member states may still be applying are lifted and of course as I mentioned… we will reserve our rights as an independent coastal state to do whatever is required in order to make sure that our fishermen are backed up every step of the way.'

    Mr Gove also used Cabinet Office questions to announce a £20 million Brexit support fund to help small and medium-sized businesses 'adjust to new customs rules of origin and VAT rules' when trading with the EU.

    For Labour, shadow Cabinet Office minister Jack Dromey urged Mr Gove to apologise for the disruption 'inflicted' upon British businesses.

    The DUP's Ian Paisley warned: '(Mr Gove) boasts of his unionist credentials, indeed he even boasted once in my local paper that he could sing the Sash.'Today he has the chance to protect the union in his meeting with (European Commission vice president) Maros Sefcovic.

    'Will he make clear that the Protocol is causing societal and economic damage to the union, and will he press on with the alternative arrangements that he previously supported and signed up to?'

    Yesterday the boss of a leading British manufacturer claimed it was now harder to export goods from Britain to France than to Japan because of Brexit.

    David Stirling, CEO of Zotefoams, says hauliers are choosing to cross the Channel empty because of the red tape and delays at ports caused by Boris Johnson's deal with the EU.

    Mr Stirling, whose south London based firm makes plastic foam for Nike trainers, aeroplanes and the bands in PPE visors, said today it is now 'more difficult to ship to Rouen in northern France than to Japan'.

    It came as the Road Haulage Association said that the volume of exports from UK ports fell 68 per cent in January compared with the same time last year, but despite this the Cabinet Office said it ‘did not recognise the figures’ and claimed 'disruption at the border has so far been minimal'.

    Mr Stirling said: 'I'd be more siding with the Road Haulage Association's view to be honest. 

    He said that 'the amount of paperwork and the uncertainty' around the rules means 'if you miss one bit of paperwork you have to start again', adding: 'Trucks leaving the UK for Europe are generally unwilling to take goods out because they get delayed for so long at borders'.

     'It appears to be (easier to bring things in), yes, we export a lot from South London all across Europe but we have found a significant number of hauliers are not willing to pick up goods and take the short hop to Dover. They would rather take the lorries empty, which is ridiculous', he said.

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