How to minimize the effects of Brexit for fruit and vegetable exports

The president of Eucofel, Juan Marín, has defended before the European Economic and Social Committee, agricultural production, the threat of brexit, and what measures should be applied to minimize the effects.

The president of Eucofel and Proexport, Juan Marín Bravo, has alerted to the advisory body of the European Commission, the threat that the brexito of fruits and vegetables produced in the European Union. In the framework of the section of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (NAT) of the European Economic and Social Committee, “we have the opportunity to contribute our vision in the future of fruits and vegetables“. “European, pointed and discussed about the technical aspects related to agri-food trade between the European Union and the United Kingdom”.

The possible impact on the EU fruit and vegetable sector was presented and the need to streamline customs and administrative procedures was highlighted. “We demand speed in customs so that, from the night of Halloween, perishables are not retained and have a transport line to reach the United Kingdom.”

Since Eucofel have been used also have been simplified until the issuance of documents have been applied and have been used until the time of being vegetables until the United Kingdom and has been activated and has received the service of the requests of the operators of the Customs , to facilitate compliance with Customs procedures, which will be converted as of October 31.

On the other hand, he called on the EU to make a greater diplomatic effort with Russia to open its market in its entirety, or at least partially (horticultural winter productions, for example). The agri-food sector respects international policy issues, but it is the only one that has supported the ban for 6 years and has to tell the EU that “enough is enough”.

In the relationship with the countries, it has also been improved. The commercial relations for the opening of new markets to fresh fruit and vegetables of the EU, prioritizing the United States, Algeria, India and China.

Finally, Marín showed the threat posed by the entry into the Community market of other productions, the impact on the fall of the prices of fruits and vegetables to ensure the same conditions of safety at work, safety and the economy that guarantees European production. In this regard, we request the renegotiation of association agreements with other horticultural exporting countries (Egypt, Turkey, …), since if the United Kingdom leaves the EU without an agreement, it may favor the entry of these products with those of the EU.

“The debate was very enriching”, concluded Marín, and you, the EESC members, will face the reality through the experience of an EU producer that operates with the United Kingdom and that the problems are published in the future. United Kingdom as third country.

DETAIL OF THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY EUCOFEL TO THE EU

Customs and administrative procedures:

Unique digital platform to facilitate small and medium enterprises to concentrate the information to export to the United Kingdom and accelerate their customs, tariff and phytosanitary procedures.
Greater reinforcement in customs management, with more physical, technical and inspection infrastructure.
Simplified procedures for the application, processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary documents required for exports of vegetables to the United Kingdom.
Accelerate and support the processing of requests from operators to Customs, in order to facilitate compliance with customs formalities, which may be required from October 31.

Fees, fees and issuance of certificates:

Reduction effort or cost reduction of certificates of origin and support to companies to ensure operations in the United Kingdom.
Simplified regime for the issuance of veterinary, sanitary and phytosanitary certificates of agricultural, livestock and agri-food products.

Export logistics to UK:

Articulate a ‘fast track’ route or corridor so that the transport of perishable goods does not suffer undue delays and European fruits and vegetables reach British supermarkets in the best conditions.
Accelerate the approval of vehicle and driver’s circulation permits.
France must ensure the free transit of goods to the United Kingdom at all times, by road as well as by train and ports.

Trade agreements with third countries:

Redouble the diplomatic effort with Russia for the market in full, or at least partial (winter horticultural productions, for example).
Accelerate with extreme urgency the commercial negotiations for the opening of new markets to fresh fruit and vegetables of the EU, prioritizing USA, Algeria, India and China.
Renegotiate the downward association agreements with Morocco (quotas and entry prices) and other exporting third countries horticulture (Egypt, Turkey, …), whether the UK leaves the EU without agreement, or if it grants tariff advantages to those countries for favor the entry of their products against those of the EU.

Promotion: