Exports of meat and fish from the UK to the EU have almost halved since Brexit

The data shows a sharp decline in food trade, raising concerns about the impact of Brexit ( UK exit from the EU ) on the economy. The Labor Party is calling for a new veterinary deal with Brussels to ease the burdensome bureaucracy faced by British companies trading with EU member states.

The disruption to trade has led to job losses, rising prices and a threat to food security, according to Labour's shadow environment minister. Business and food industry leaders are joining the call for a UK-EU veterinary agreement to ease trade barriers and eliminate the need for additional product checks.

An analysis of government trade data by the Labor Party shows a 42% decline in MEAT exports to EU countries between December 2020 and March 2023. This significant drop in exports is attributed to onerous post-Brexit checks and regulations.

Trade data also point to a 45 percent decline in net exports of fish, crustaceans and molluscs to the EU over the same period. The introduction of trade barriers and the introduction of new controls are hindering the smooth EXPORT of seafood, creating problems for the fishing industry.