New: Here is the letter George Eustice sent to the European Commission’s Stella Kyriakides this morning about UK shellfish exports to the EU, first reported by PoliticsHome on Friday 
https://twitter.com/adampayne26/status/1357675043145269248
Eustice says the UK's live shellfish exports to the EU have "been in place for many years" and the new rules - live shellfish caught in most waters barred EU entry - are of "grave concern" to businesses
The UK has high standards and EU customers trust its business, he argues
The UK has high standards and EU customers trust its business, he argues
Eustice accuses the EU of changing its position on shellfish, citing advice the UK received in September
That's it's "unexpected and difficult news for an industry that relies on trade between the UK & EU"
Reminder: EU says rules apply to all 3rd countries, have done for years
That's it's "unexpected and difficult news for an industry that relies on trade between the UK & EU"
Reminder: EU says rules apply to all 3rd countries, have done for years
Here's the UK anger with the EU: "We can see no scientific or technical justification for this change and the news was conveyed to us rather casually and after the event. This is not in the collaborative and cooperative spirit in which we wish to work together going forward"
Perhaps the most important bit:
"We are seeking urgent resolution of this matter, and we would welcome a meeting to discuss this"
The UK for the first time wants to start a dialogue w/ the EU for something not GB-NI related — a sign of things to come as export issues continue?
"We are seeking urgent resolution of this matter, and we would welcome a meeting to discuss this"
The UK for the first time wants to start a dialogue w/ the EU for something not GB-NI related — a sign of things to come as export issues continue?
Labour’s @Steph_Peacock will ask the government an Urgent Question about the shellfish issue in the next hour
Lib Dem @amcarmichaelMP says Eustice is “perpetually surprised about things which are his responsibility”
*The third tweet in the thread should say September 2019*
Lib Dem @amcarmichaelMP says Eustice is “perpetually surprised about things which are his responsibility”
*The third tweet in the thread should say September 2019*
Eustice kicks off the shellfish UQ:
He says the EU's approach to UK shellfish from class b waters is "unacceptable" and a "devastating blow" to the industry
He repeats that the EU changed its position and "we continue to believe that our interpretation of the law... is correct"
He says the EU's approach to UK shellfish from class b waters is "unacceptable" and a "devastating blow" to the industry
He repeats that the EU changed its position and "we continue to believe that our interpretation of the law... is correct"
Labour's @Steph_Peacock challenges Eustice to support the government claim that the EU changed its position on UK shellfish exports and calls on him to publish all correspondence between the UK and the EU on the matter
Eustice says is "happy" to publish letters he has mentioned
Eustice says is "happy" to publish letters he has mentioned
The UK handling of live shellfish is a "negligent betrayal" of fishers in Flookburgh, says their MP @timfarron
"They don't care whose fault it is and they're not impressed" by the blame game, he says
Steve Manning told me 95% of his exports go to France politicshome.com/news/article/g…
"They don't care whose fault it is and they're not impressed" by the blame game, he says
Steve Manning told me 95% of his exports go to France politicshome.com/news/article/g…
Eustice hints that there could be more financial support for shellfish businesses affected by the EU's 3rd country rules
He says government "will consider what steps are necessary at that point to support the industry" if the EU doesn't change its approach to the UK
He says government "will consider what steps are necessary at that point to support the industry" if the EU doesn't change its approach to the UK
Labour's @BenPBradshaw asks Eustice if the government intends to maintain food standards going forward, then why not agree close SPS alignment with the EU like Norway has?
The government has just published Eustice’s letter gov.uk/government/pub…
The eagle-eyed among you have spotted an issue with the date of Eustice’s letter to the European Commission
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