Post-Brexit trade problems

The government continues to play down the impact of their failure to secure ‘frictionless trade’ post-Brexit.

All animal and plant products heading from the UK to EU markets now need an export health certificate signed off by an authorised veterinarian. But reports of shortages of customs agents, and concerns about a lack of vets to certify the expected increase in these certificates, shows the government are completely unprepared. Meat and fish exporters have been hit hard by costly delays at the border. The lull in January border traffic is expected to pick up again with the potential to cause a second wave of border chaos, ramping up from 2,000 lorries per day crossing between Dover and Calais to 10,000 per day.

I asked the Environment Secretary, George Eustice what steps the government is taking to prevent more delays and costs to the food and drink exporters.