UK meat and seafood exports to EU rebound in February

Britain's MEAT and seafood exports to the European Union rebounded in February after a January slump following the country's exit from the EU single market and customs union, a government official said, citing preliminary data.

REUTERS reports that additional checks and paperwork for UK exports following the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 have led to delivery delays and higher costs for many businesses, putting increasing pressure on the Conservative government that initiated Brexit.

UK merchandise exports to the EU fell 40.7% in January from December, with exports of food and live animals down 64%, according to the Office for National Statistics.

However, there is evidence that exports rebounded sharply in February, according to a Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson, citing EXPORT HEALTH certificate (EHC) data. According to David Kennedy, Defra's general manager for agriculture and biosecurity, the data shows EHC issuance, now required for all EU livestock exports, doubled in February from January levels.

Under the Brexit deal reached at the end of December, trade between the UK and the EU remains free of tariffs and quotas on goods, but exporters - especially fresh produce sellers - say their businesses continue to be threatened by rising costs and delays at the border. .

The British meat industry has warned of a 20% to 50% permanent loss of export trade with the EU, even as supplies to the European market more or less recovered after Brexit.

The government says the January slump in UK export trade with the EU was driven by pre-Brexit stockpiling, covid-19 restrictions and other issues that will be addressed shortly.

The industry, especially the seafood and meat sector, says the problems are systemic and in some cases permanent and have little chance of making up for lost trade with the EU by finding new markets for fresh produce with limited delivery times.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK's new independent trade policy after Brexit means it can focus on deals with fast-growing economies around the world.