Brexit news – live: UK’s biggest fish market left ‘like ghost town’, as Eurostar under threat

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Boris Johnson blames seafood exporters ‘not filling in the right forms’ for post-Brexit sales crash

Boris Johnson’s government has been warned that meat worth hundreds of thousands of pounds is going to waste at EU ports, as British exporters continue to get caught up in post-Brexit red tape problems.

It comes as photos emerged showing UK’s largest fish market in Peterhead largely deserted, as the industry struggles with an export slump caused by customs delays. “What a sad sight – like a ghost town,” said the Scotland Food and Drink group.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis claimed that empty shelves in Northern Ireland were due to coronavirus “challenges” – and not because of Brexit. And the head of Eurostar has sounded alarm over the future of the rail company, saying the situation was “critical”. 

• Boris Johnson blames exporters ‘not filling in the right forms’
• Fishing industry stages protest against Brexit trade deal
• Tory rebels could block post-Brexit trade deal with China

Key Points

• Brexit customs chaos spread to meat exporters
• Government blames empty supermarket shelves on Covid
• UK’s biggest fish market left becomes ‘ghost town’
• Eurostar future under threat, warns rail operator boss
• PM will be ‘relieved’ to see Trump gone, says ex-cabinet secretary

[20 January 2021 23:16 · Chiara Giordano]

Seafood exporters to claim up to £100,000 to cover Brexit losses

Seafood exporters hit by Brexit red tape and delays will be able to claim up to £100,000 in compensation, the government has said.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that it was putting in place a £23m compensation package for firms exporting fish and shellfish to the EU who can show they have suffered "genuine loss".

Defra said the scheme would be targeted at small and medium operators with payments made retrospectively to cover losses incurred since 1 January.

The government will consult with the industry across the UK on the eligibility criteria - as well as working with the devolved administrations - with details to be announced in the "coming days".