Seafish makes Brexit advice available over Christmas
Seafish, the organisation which supports the seafood industry, has urged businesses in the sector to take advantage of its advice about preparing for trading with Europe in 2021 as the UK nears the December 31 end of its Brexit transition period.
“Whether you import, export, process and distribute, catch or farm seafood, you can find guidance for your business on our support hub,” said Seafish in a press release.
“If you are unable to find the answer to your question in our guidance then our regulation team will be available to answer further questions on the end of the Brexit transition period over Christmas and New Year through a pre-bookable service.”
Half-hour slots
Between Monday, December 21 and January 4, 2021, seafood businesses looking for additional advice with specific issues can book a half-hour slot with one of the Seafish team. This helpline service replaces the usual contact details for the team during that period.
Seafish points out that while ongoing talks mean no one yet knows the exact terms on which the UK and the EU will trade from January 2021, there are actions that seafood businesses can take to get ready for the end of the transition period.
“We have recently updated our guidance for seafood businesses with advice on practical steps you can take now,” states Seafish on its website.
Complex issue
It adds that because this is a complex issue, it has divided the advice into four categories:
- Importing seafood into Great Britain
- Exporting seafood from Great Britain
- Processing or distributing seafood in Great Britain
- Catching or farming seafood
Seafish adds that it is currently working on guidance for businesses trading in or with Northern Ireland, which has a separate status to Great Britain (Scotland, Wales and England).
Customs procedures
Visitors to the Seafish site will also be able to watch a recording of an Institute of Export and International Trade webinar about preparing for new EU customs procedures. That can also be viewed directly here.
Seafish is based in offices in Edinburgh and Grimsby. It is sponsored by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and aligns its work with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolved administrations.
Most of its funding comes from a levy on the first sale of seafood products in the UK, including imported seafood.
