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The UK’s Department of Agriculture (Defra) is “too complacent” about the levels of disruption Brexit could cause, according to the UK’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In a report published today, PAC said the UK would face both disruption and interruption to trade with “fundamental issues” yet to be resolved for food and animal importers and exporters. PAC acknowledged that Defra faced “enormous challenges” but that efforts to prepare businesses had been “too little, too late”.
Vet shortage
The report contained a number recommendations for Defra in the event of a no deal Brexit.
The first these outlines how animals and animal products face being delayed at borders due to a shortage of vets. PAC estimates Defra will need to hire of 50 full-time vets to cope with the extra volume of export health certificates.
The report also said there may be increased risks to food safety and of smuggling if Defra continued with plans to allow food imports from the EU to pass through UK ports without checks. PAC recommended that a timeframe be put in place to implement pre-notification and full checks of EU food imports.
Brexit looming
PAC chair Meg Hillier said: "Brexit looms but the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is a long way from being ready. In the continued uncertainty about the UK’s future relationship with the EU, Defra’s civil servants must prepare for multiple and in some cases ill-defined scenarios.
“Anyone working in the dark is prone to stumble, but in Defra’s case I am concerned that the Department has lost sight of its priorities.”
Demanding timescale
Defra rejected the PAC’s conclusions, with a spokesperson saying it failed to accurately reflect preparations for Brexit.
The spokesperson said: “The PAC has ignored key findings from the National Audit Office, which found that ‘Defra has achieved a great deal and to a very demanding timescale’.
“In producing this one-sided report, the PAC has failed to acknowledge the substantial progress we have made in replacing EU functions, hiring key staff and building new IT systems.”
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