With the new government, what now for the UK seafood sector?

The UK's new Labour Government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is set to review the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, with the aim of easing trade regulations and veterinary restrictions on food exports. This move is expected to be welcomed by the seafood industry, which has been negatively impacted by these restrictions, as the EU remains a significant market for UK seafood exports. The government also intends to strengthen marine environmental protection by banning bottom fishing in all national marine protected areas and ratifying the UN's Global Ocean Treaty, which aims to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. The new government's policies and their potential impact on the devolved nations, especially Scotland, and the seafood sector's labor needs are also highlighted.

Analysis – with new Government, what now for UK seafood sector? The landslide majority election of a new Labour UK Government could put fishing back to the centre-stage of politics. In a scenario that many in the fishing industry might regard as a double-edged sword, new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to forge a closer relationship with the EU, including easing complicated trade regulations, particularly revolving around food exports and their associated veterinary restrictions. Labour intends to use a review next year of the post-Brexit trade deal to negotiate a new food standards and veterinary agreement with the EU to reduce checks on British food being exported to the continent and vice versa. This would involve Britain agreeing to follow existing EU rules on food safety. Many in the industry – especially seafood processors and shellfish farmers – would hugely welcome an environment where burdensome red tape is mitigated. The impact of such restrictions has ...