Collection
Marine and fisheries: exiting the EU
Marine and fisheries Information about exiting the European Union.
Introduction
The UK's withdrawal from the European Union will lead to some of the most significant changes to the UK, and Scotland, political and economic landscape in decades. Although relations with the European Union are a reserved matter, the consequences of leaving the EU will be felt in a large range of devolved areas, and the Scottish Government therefore has a critical role in ensuring that the devolved settlement is protected and that Scotland's national interests are secured.
Delay to EU export changes until January 2022
Businesses exporting live animals, products of animal origin, germinal products and composite products across Europe and Northern Ireland should be aware that the EU has confirmed a delay on the need to apply for new export health certificates (EHCs) under European Animal Health Law.
These export changes now apply from 15 January 2022. This means that current EHCs signed before this date can be used if goods reach the intended EU destination by 15 March 2022.
Both the current and the new EHCs for seafood products are available on EHC Online and traders can decide which to use. The notes for guidance on the online system give further details on the requirements for each certificate.
Exporters of live aquatic animals for aquaculture purposes should be aware that the EU has permitted the use of the current certificate only until 14 January 2022. These do not require Official Veterinarian (OV) certification and can continue to be certified by the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI).
Latest
Live Bivalve Molluscs, such as cockles, mussels and oysters, which have been harvested from either unclassified, or non-class A waters which cannot be verified by certifying officers, as fit for human consumption at the point of export, cannot be exported to the EU or NI as there is a permanent barrier to trade, and cannot be provided with an EHC.
Exporting to Northern Ireland
Please find UK Government information and guidance for businesses exporting goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland (NI) below:
- How to apply to be reimbursed for the cost of getting a support attestation
- Guidance on changes to the rules for movement of composite products from GB to NI/EU from 21 April 2021
- Guidance on products of Animal Origin Fish and Fishery products for human consumption - Movements in and out of NI
Fish Export Service
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) launched the Fish Export Service (FES) in November 2020. The latest changes to the Fish Export Service will allow users the ability to void and clone export catch certificates significantly reducing the time it takes to create replacement export documents, while a summer update is expected to include refined flows through FES (moving from the current linear approach to a checklist-based interface), increased and expanded clone functionality to cover processing statements and storage documents, and enhancements relating to the uploading of landing data. More information on the FES is available.
IMO Numbers
If your vessel is 100 gross tons or above, or is 12 metres long or more, you will have to have an IMO number to fish in EU waters. To find out how to obtain an IMO number and register it with the Single Issuing Authority, please visit the UK Government website.
Guidance if the UK leaves the EU without a deal
The UK has left the EU with a deal but you still need to be aware of new requirements that the EU applies to all third-party countries – which now includes the UK after exit. Please continue to consider any steps you may need. There are leaflets below to help you understand what you need to do if any of the fish that you catch is exported to the EU, either by yourself or by the agent/processor you sell your catch to.
In addition, DEFRA has recently published information on:
- Exporting and importing fish if there’s no Brexit deal
- Exporting animals, animal products, fish and fishery products to the EU after EU Exit
- Wider implications of EU Exit on the Fisheries Sector
- DEFRA export journey
- how to create a Processing statement
- how to create a Storage document
- how to export wild caught fishery products
- how to create a Catch Certificate
For more information on how Brexit may affect your business visit the find business support website.
EORI Numbers
In addition, to be able to export seafood to the EU, you will need to have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. The process is quick and easy and can be done by visiting the UK Government website.
Seafood Producers Resilience Fund
The Seafood Producers Resilience Fund provided support to eligible shellfish catchers and producers, in addition to trout farmers who had faced issues exporting to the EU and had lost access to domestic food markets as a result of COVID-19. Details of the successful awards are available.
Scottish Nephrops Industry Report
Recommendations for delivering a profitable, sustainable and fair supply chain for the langoustine (Nephrops) industry have been set out in a report produced by the Scottish Government-formed working group (the Scottish Nephrops Working Group).
The report highlighted the value of the export market to the sector and showed Brexit has resulted in export changes to the EU including additional cost and complexity with certification, and increased time for shipments to reach the EU. The report includes proposals to
- help recover and develop new markets
- to improve efficiency
- environmental sustainability and product quality
- to encourage investment and innovation; and to increase the information available across the supply chain
We will now consider the recommendations and how we might develop and implement those which align with our wider priorities for the sector in the short and long-term.
Advice for fishers
These guidelines are to assist the industry in understanding the additional regulatory requirements resulting from the UK
leaving the EU without an agreement. It will still be necessary for UK vessel Masters and owners to comply with all other regulatory legislative and reporting requirements in addition to licence conditions.
Individuals should consult with the full regulations regarding Catch Certificate reporting requirements. They can be found in Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 with detailed implementing rules being contained in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009.
Catch Certificates are not required for some ‘fishery products’ when importing into the EU.
Excluded fishery products are:
- Freshwater fishery products
- Aquaculture products obtained from fry or larvae
- Ornamental fish
- Some mollusc species and presentations including oysters, scallops and mussels.
We advise you to speak to the relevant contacts in your supply chain to confirm understanding and requirements.
- EU exit guide for fishers: Fish in UK waters and land in EU
- EU exit guide for fishers: export non-UK ‘third country’ fish to EU
- EU exit guide for fishers: fish in UK waters, land in UK and your catch is sent to EU
Summary of EU Exit preparedness stakeholder meetings
In the build up to EU Exit, Marine Scotland and Food and Drink divisions in the Scottish Government undertook a whole range of events with seafood exporting businesses - and other interested stakeholders - focusing on the regulations, requirements and practical stages that exporting businesses will need to complete to be able to continue to export to the EU. In March and April 2019, 48 exporting businesses were met, in person, throughout Scotland including: Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Scrabster, Skye, Ullapool, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Shetland, Mallaig, Clyde, Western Isles and Anstruther.
In October 2019, after the exit day was extended to October 31 2019, there were EU Exit roadshows jointly hosted with Marine Scotland and Food & Drink with further attendance from Seafish, Animal Plant Health Agency, Local Authorities and Scottish Enterprise.
Marine and Seafood Stakeholder Group page
- Marine and Seafood Stakeholder Group Minutes - June 2018
- Marine and Seafood Stakeholder Group Minutes - January 2018
- Marine and Seafood Stakeholder Group Minutes - September 2017
Legislation
When the UK leaves the EU (European Union), there will be some laws and regulations that will no longer apply or work properly. And although Scotland voted to remain in the EU, as a responsible government the Scottish Government must prepare for EU exit. As such, the Scottish government is working alongside the UK government to develop legislation to ensure a functioning statute book and prepare for the UK's new position as a non-EU member. This is done through correcting EU laws and regulations, and some domestic legislation to ensure it all still works properly in a UK only context.
In some cases, the Scottish Government will make laws or regulations for Scotland only to replace certain EU laws. These regulations are called Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs). In other cases, the UK Government will make a Statutory Instrument (SI) which will cover all parts of the UK, including Scotland. When that happens, the Scottish Government must prepare a Protocol Notification to the the Scottish Parliament notifying the Scottish Parliament of its intention to consent to devolved matters being included in the Statutory Instrument. The relevant Parliamentary Committee will then scrutinise Scottish Ministers’ intention to consent.
Notifications are being prepared for each policy area and describe the legislation impacted, the nature of the deficiencies, the proposed corrections and why these are necessary in the event there is no deal with the EU
So far there have been 4 SSIs and 5 SIs laid in relation to marine fisheries legislation and EU exit.
Public notices
The Scottish Government must prepare a document notifying the Scottish Parliament of its intention to consent to devolved matters being included in the Statutory Instrument (SI).
- Aquaculture: notification to the Scottish Parliament
- Fisheries: notification to the Scottish Parliament
Protocol Notifications for EU Exit Statutory Instruments to the Scottish Parliament
These notifications to the Scottish Parliament under the Protocol seek the approval of the Scottish Parliament to the exercise of powers by UK Ministers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in relation to proposals within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. It explains the corrections to deficiencies in legislation (which will result from EU Exit) which are being legislated for through a UK Statutory Instrument.
Under the terms of the protocol, Scottish Government must prepare a document notifying the Scottish Parliament of its intention to consent to devolved matters being included in the Statutory Instrument. The relevant Parliamentary Committee will then scrutinise Scottish Ministers’ intention to consent.
These notifications have been prepared for each of the main UK Exit SIs which affect fisheries and marine policy areas and describe the legislation impacted, the nature of the deficiencies, the proposed corrections, and why the changes to regulations are necessary. Further notifications, in which Marine Scotland has a partial interest, have also been prepared but are not listed here. All notifications will form part of the papers of the relevant parliamentary committees.
For further information, please contact Owen Griffiths.
- Protocol Notification: The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Protocol Notification: The Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Protocol Notification: The Fisheries (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Protocol Notification: The Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2)
- Protocol Notification:The Common Fisheries Policy and Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Protocol Notification: The Common Fisheries Policy and Animals (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Protocol Notification: The Marine Environment (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Further support
- Contact your nearest Marine Scotland Fishery Office
- Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website
- Food Standards Scotland website
Disclaimer
The Scottish Government seeks to ensure that this guidance is up-to-date and accurate. However, requirements may change. You should consider seeking professional advice before making specific preparations. This guidance does not constitute legal or professional advice and we cannot accept liability for actions arising from its use. The Scottish Government is not responsible for the content of pages referenced by external links.
Privacy notice
Marine Scotland collects personal data in exercise of its statutory functions to manage Scotland’s seas and freshwater fisheries. Marine Scotland Communications maintain a contact list of organisations and individuals to get in touch with about policy developments and other factual information to fulfil these statutory obligations. This privacy policy explains how we use any personal data that we have collected about you.
What information we collect about you
Marine Scotland will process personal information in relation to its contacts list. This may be:
- organisation/individuals name
- organisation/individuals e-mail address
- an organisation/individuals work telephone number
- an organisation/individuals communications department’s contact number
If you wish to no longer be communicated by Marine Scotland Communications, you can opt-out by e-mailing: MarineScotland@gov.scot and we will cease to process your personal data.
How will we use your information
Marine Scotland will collect information about you in order for us to inform you of the latest policy developments, factual information or any other information we feel is in your interests to know.
We do not share your information with other organisations or individuals.
What happens to your personal information
Contact details are held securely on Scottish Government IT systems. If you would like to unsubscribe from this contact lists then we will ensure all contact details will be deleted. The Marine Scotland Communications team review the contacts list regularly to ensure it is accurate and up to date. If you have any queries or concerns about how your personal information will be handled please contact us at MarineScotland@gov.scot.
Lawful basis for processing
The law requires that we collect and record your explicit consent before providing you communications about latest developments, but you have the right to remove your consent at any time.
If you want to remove your consent, either use the unsubscribe option provided on any emailed newsletter from us (the Communications team) , or contact the Data Protection Officer: data.protection@gov.scot and tell us which service you are using and wish to unsubscribe from, so we can deal with your request promptly.
You are under no statutory obligation to provide personal data to Marine Scotland during the newsletter sign-up process; however, your email address is mandatory to receive the service. If you decline to provide it, we will not be able to provide this service to you.
Your rights
You have a right of access to any personal data we hold about you, by making a Subject Access Request (SAR).
In addition, if you believe that the data we hold is inaccurate or incomplete you can ask us to update our records. If you are unhappy with the way in which we process your personal data you can request that we stop or restrict the processing we complete using your personal data or ask us to delete the personal data we hold about you.
Find out more about your rights on the Information Commissioner's site.
In some circumstances we may not be able to comply with your request. This is because some of these rights are conditional and can only be applied in certain circumstances and/or where there is no compelling reason to continue to process your personal data.
Data Protection Officer
Victoria Quay
Commercial Street
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Email: DataProtectionOfficer@gov.scot
Complaints
If you feel we have been unable, or unwilling, to resolve your information rights concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO are the supervisory authority responsible for data protection in the UK.
For further information, including independent data protection advice and information in relation to your rights, you can contact the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 08456 30 60 60
Website: www.ico.org.uk
You can also report any concerns here: https://ico.org.uk/concerns/handling/