Defra says EU has changed the rules, forcing higher costs on UK SMEs

© Al Robinson

Secretary of state for the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) George Eustice has acknowledged that post-Brexit realities have placed SMEs in an unenviable position.

He told the Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs Committee the costs of leaving the single market, including for export health certificates (EHC), checks and import agents, had resulted in a 5% to 15% increase in trading with the EU.

“The principal cost is EHCs, which require a vet to sign-off and take anywhere from 30 ...