If the UK crashes out of the European Union without a deal Export Health Certificates (EHC) will be required to export produce of animal origin from Wales to the EU.
This will result in a significant increase in the need for EHC certification capability and capacity in Wales.
£96,000 from the £50 million EU Transition fund was announced last September to support the need for Export Health Certification and is an example of how the Welsh Government is helping the sector prepare for Brexit.
Veterinary surgeons certifying EHCs must receive specific training and authorisation. Usually the training is paid for by the veterinarian undertaking the course, which represents a disincentive to participate.
For this reason a scheme to support the additional training required for a minimum of 80 Veterinary surgeons from across Wales was launched on 22 January, with more than expected to sign-up before training ends at the end of February.
The scheme is being administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency on behalf of the Welsh Government and in collaboration with Veterinary Delivery Partners Iechyd Da and Menter a Busnes.
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said:
“I am pleased we have been able to support the veterinary sector through our EU Transition Fund. Veterinary surgeons have already begun receiving extra training to provide Export Health Certificates and this funding is helping to address the significant risk to the export of animal produce from Wales post-Brexit.
“This is yet another example of how, we as a Government, are supporting our industries prepare for Brexit and the challenges ahead.
“It is possible– if a no deal is taken off the table this extra capacity will not be required but we must prepare for all eventualities. However, the training would not have been wasted as the skills are transferable and would strengthen the important certification role of the veterinary profession in Wales.”
Veterinary surgeon and representative of Iechyd Da, Ifan Lloyd said:
“This Welsh Government support package offers practicing vets in Wales the opportunity to undertake additional training to obtain the necessary qualifications to carry out animal product export certification.
“This is a key initiative to ensure the veterinary profession in Wales is in a state of preparedness in the event of a no deal Brexit and that exporters have easy access to qualified vets to undertake their certification requirements.”
“We have always been clear a no deal Brexit is not an option for Wales’ food industry. Crashing out of the European Union could decimate economies and must be avoided at all costs. Our preference would be a ‘softer’ Brexit – one that allows us to stay in a customs union and a single market.
“With no new ideas and red lines firmly still in place, the UK Government is simply running down the clock in a vain hope that their deal will pass. They must take decisive action now and act on the majority will of Parliament to rule out no deal.”
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