HOW WILL BREXIT AFFECT UK PLANT AND ANIMAL BIOSECURITY? LORDS TO INVESTIGATE

The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee today invites contributions to its new inquiry which will investigate the impact of Brexit on the UK’s plant and animal biosecurity.

The UK’s membership of the EU allows it to participate in a range of biosecurity information sharing mechanisms and early warning systems to prevent the spread of pests, diseases and pathogens. If the UK does not have access to these post-Brexit, it risks delays in receiving information which will allow it to respond to imminent biosecurity threats. In addition, post-Brexit the UK will have additional responsibilities for inspecting products entering the UK for biosecurity risks.

The inquiry will map out the challenges and opportunities the Government faces in relation to plant and animal biosecurity as a result of leaving the EU, highlighting the key areas where co-operation should continue and in what form.

TOPICS LIKELY TO BE COVERED INCLUDE:

* The extent to which a common UK-EU approach to biosecurity will continue to be desirable post-Brexit

* The ways the UK and EU currently share biosecurity information, and whether these can be maintained

* The resource challenges of repatriating biosecurity risk assessment and inspection

* The potential need for a common biosecurity framework across the UK

* How the UK could strengthen its biosecurity after leaving the EU.

The Committee encourages all those that can inform the inquiry to submit evidence.

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