On 31 December 2020 the UK ended its transition period with the European Union, and as a result is no longer a member of the EU's customs union or single market.
Whilst the UK and EU have agreed zero tariffs and quotas on trade between the two markets, the way rural businesses trade, the way supply chains work, and the way products are packaged and labelled have still changed. It is therefore vital that rural businesses are aware of these changes and how they impact future business decisions.
The CLA’s latest Brexit guidance pack provides rural businesses with advice on the steps that need to be taken and where more information can be found. It covers all the main sectors of activity in the rural economy and includes a simple Brexit checklist members can use to ensure they are able to navigate the new procedures successfully. The guidance pack can be downloaded here.
All changes and guidance discussed on this page relate to both England and Wales.
Latest update: week commencing 15 February
Index
- Getting business ready
- Animals and Animal Products
- Plants and plant products
- Food and Feed
- Export and import rules and processes
- Brexit news
Getting business ready
On 31 December 2020 the UK ended its transition period with the European Union, and as a result is no longer a member of the EU's customs union or single market.
Whilst the UK and EU have agreed zero tariffs and quotas on trade between the two markets, the way rural businesses trade, the way supply chains work, and the way products are packaged and labelled have still changed. It is therefore vital that rural businesses are aware of these changes and how they impact future business decisions.
The CLA’s latest Brexit guidance pack provides rural businesses with advice on the steps that need to be taken and where more information can be found. It covers all the main sectors of activity in the rural economy and includes a simple Brexit checklist members can use to ensure they are able to navigate the new procedures successfully. The guidance pack can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
Brexit Frequently Asked Questions
The transition period between the UK and the EU will end on 31 December 2020. This means that the UK will no longer be a member of the EU’s Single Market nor the Common Customs Union. In order to assist members, the CLA has produced this briefing note on a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Animals and Animal Products
The end of transition will change the way producers and traders will engage with the European Union. With the EU being the UK’s largest agrifood market, these briefing notes set out the new rules relating to how to import and export, the trade in horses and other equines and the new rules regarding poultry and eggs.
Traders urged to register now to export animals and animal products When exporting animals and animal products from Great Britain to the EU from 2 January 2021, traders will require an Export Health Certificate (EHC). Traders can now register for the online service now. The EHC service can be used to:
For more information and see how to register, click here. |
Groupage Export Facilitation Scheme for animal products From 1 January 2021, exporters and their suppliers will be able to make use of the Groupage Export Facilitation Scheme (GEFS) to trade multiple products within one shipment. The idea is to ensure the continuation of trade without significant delays. This briefing note sets out the main details of the GEFS, which products can be exported, how to be a member of the GEFS and what type of inspections will take place.
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Government announces launch of new Movement Assistance Scheme The Government has announced a new scheme, the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) for moving animals, plants and associated products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021. For further information on the scheme click here |
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Plant and plant products
There will be changes in the way arable and other cultivated products are traded in the UK and the EU. These briefing notes set out the new rules on to how to import and export arable products, the changes that will be made in the horticulture sector and the new rules regarding wood and timber products.
Food and Feed
As the UK formally ends the transition with the EU, there will be substantial changes to the UK’s system of protected names, the way the organic sector will operate and changes to how products are labelled in the future. These briefing notes set out what businesses need to be aware of and the changes that come into force on 1 January 2021.
Export and import rules and processes
With the UK no longer being part of the EU Single Market and the Common Customs Union, there will be changes in terms of labour availability and customs declarations for goods entering the UK border. These briefing notes outline these changes to ensure that business can become “Brexit ready”.
Documentation and Registration Requirements: What is needed and when it should be received |
The impact and extent of the UK Global Tariff very much depends on whether there is a trade deal between the UK and EU at the end of the transition period. If there is no deal, the UK Global Tariff will be placed on imports from the EU and non-EU countries (unless the UK has a trade agreement with a particular country) and the EU will impose tariffs on UK exports to the EU. This briefing outlines the UK Global Tariff and the rate of tariff importers will need to apply on imports after 31 December 2020. |
EU chief negotiator in London as trade talks reach the final stretch |
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Export Health Certificates (EHC) The way exporters trade with the EU will change from 1 January 2021. This includes the need for the correct documentation. This briefing note sets out how to apply for an Export Health Certificate when exporting animals and animal products to EU and non-EU countries and can be downloaded here.
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Importers need to register and use IPAFFS – NOW! |
Documentation and Registration Requirements: What is needed and when it should be received |
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UK and France resume cross border trade The French Government has agreed to reopen the border with the UK, following the rapid increase in cases of Covid-19 in Britain. This follows two days of major disruption to the agrifood supply chain with increasing numbers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) being unable to travel to and from France. |
Government extends Seasonal Workers Scheme The Government is to allow up to 30,000 seasonal workers into the UK in 2021 as part of an extension to the existing Seasonal Workers Scheme. |
Government allocates £20 million for new SME Brexit support fund The Government has set up a new £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to help small businesses adjust to new customs procedures, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU. The fund offers up to £2,000 for business with up to 500 employees, and no more than £100 million annual turnover who trade with the EU. In order to be eligible the business must: • be established in the UK; • have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status; • not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations; • have no more than 500 employees; • have no more than £100 million turnover; • import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Businesses can use the grant for training on: • how to complete customs declarations; • how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems; • specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin; • professional advice so the business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements. More details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/grants-to-help-small-and-medium-sized-businesses-new-to-importing-or-exporting The fund is not yet ready for applications. When it opens, further information will be circulated on the CLA Brexit Hub. |
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CLA press releases
- Rural industry breathes sigh of relief as UK and EU reach FTA (December 24th, 2020)
- Lamb sector under threat in event of no deal, CLA warns (October 6th, 2020)
- CLA responds to EU trade talks (June 5, 2020)
- CLA responds to Prime Minister’s Speech on Trade (February 3, 2020)
- Letter to Prime Minister on trade and standards backed by CLA (January 27, 2020)
CLA in the News
- NATIONAL CLA President Mark Bridgeman explains why the lamb industry could face problems post-Brexit. Listen in from 33 mins. (Chopper's Politics - Daily Telegraph, October 23 2020)
- UK food standards: why No 10's lack of commitment is making farmers furious (The Guardian, October 17 2020)
- Boris Johnson throws down ‘no deal’ gauntlet to EU (Financial Times, October 16 2020)
- Up to 2m UK lambs may 'go to waste' under no-deal Brexit (Guardian, October 6 2020)
- UK and EU close to breakthrough on benefits as Brexit talks resume in London (Daily Telegraph, October 6 2020)
- Brexit LIVE: 'Big progress' in EU talks after 'positive' meetings - agreement in sight (Daily Express, October 6 2020)
- UK landowners warn of lamb surplus after no-deal Brexit (POLITICO, October 6 2020)
- Brexit Britain embarks on landmark Japan trade deal - Will 'go further' than EU-Tokyo pact (Daily Express June 9 2020)
- Brexit warning: 'Thousands' of farmers will go out of business without UK-EU trade deal (Daily Express, June 5 2020)
- Fears of no-deal in Brexit trade talks rise as another round of negotiations ends in acrimony (Independent June 5, 2020)
Regional news
- Warning over no-deal's impact on lamb sector (Hexham Courant, October 25)
- CLA issues warning about impact of a no-deal on lamb sector (Darlington and Stockton Times, October 10 2020)
- CLA issues warning about impact of a no-deal on lamb sector (Northern Farmer, October 10 2020)
- Farmers will be like lambs to slaughter under no deal Brexit - Dorothy Fairburn (Yorkshire Post, October 12 2020)
Trade
- Ignore the rhetoric – a UK-EU trade deal may be closer than we think (Farmers Guardian, October 26 2020)
- PM says UK preparing to leave EU with no deal after negotiations stall (Farmers Guardian, October 16 2020)
- Threats to UK lamb and sugar as Brexit deadline approaches (Farmers Guardian, October 11 2020)
- Millions of lambs 'may go to waste' after no-deal Brexit (Farming UK, October 7 2020)
- Two million UK lambs may ‘go to waste’ under no-deal Brexit (Business Matters, October 7 2020)
- EU farm groups call for temporary arrangements to protect trade as Brexit talks stall (Farmers Guardian, June 9 2020)
- Farm leaders concerned over ‘lack of progress’ on Brexit deal (Farmers Weekly, June 8 2020)
- Farmers 'greatly concerned' at UK-EU trade talk progress (Farming UK, June 8 2020)