On the 23rd January, the Border Delivery Group (BDG) hosted a call to update stakeholders on the Government’s progress in securing a deal with the EU. It was noted that even though the Government was unsuccessful in securing a majority for its chosen approach, the Government still expects to secure a deal with the EU that will command the support of Parliament. However, as the Prime Minister has made clear, we continue to plan and prepare for an orderly exit if this is not achieved.

The call was not held under NDA and stakeholders were asked for their ongoing support in communicating what actions need to be taken in the event of no deal to assist their stakeholders, customers and communities with preparations. The following key areas were covered during the call:

• Border Delivery Group Weekly Bulletin: This will be published weekly to ensure stakeholders are kept up-to-date and brings all EU Exit information together in one place. Stakeholders were asked to share the weekly bulletins on an ongoing basis with their stakeholders and networks.
• Partnership Pack: The fourth iteration of the pack will be published w/c 28th January. This has been updated to include policy updates from across government departments.
• Leaflets: Leaflets have been made available in user friendly terminology to ensure simple and consistent key messages. Samples were previously issued in the first BDG bulletin. These are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Polish, Italian and are currently being translated into Welsh, Romanian and Bulgarian (expected by the end of January).
• Videos: There are a range of short, 60 second explanatory videos available and a series of deep dive videos, that will go into more detail on certain topics, under development. 
• Industry Days: Two industry days have been held so far in Lille on the 15th January and in Zeebrugge on the 22nd January. The events were informative and useful and similar days across the UK and Europe are being arranged. Further details will follow. 

Key highlights from this week's BDG Weekly Update include:

Belgium Ports Industry Day, Zeebrugge

The Belgium Ports Industry Day on 22 January was a success. The event was attended by the four ports of Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Oostende and Ghent, along with over 190 industry representatives. The forum was predominantly addressing non-UK based companies, with some UK-based companies also present. Key Government departments made presentations to outline proposed changes to RORO import, export and transit of goods into and out of the UK in a ‘no deal’ scenario. 
We will continue to support businesses to prepare for the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario. Please get in touch if you would like any materials or support for your event.

Business Readiness videos: Agriculture and Food industry and Chemicals

Videos are available online to support you and your partners in conversations you may be having with stakeholders to prepare for EU Exit.
 
This week there are new videos available online for the Agriculture and Food Industry to prepare for changes at the border in a no deal EU Exit. There is also a video for the Chemical Industry in a no deal EU Exit, setting out the key actions these businesses will need to take to prepare. 

Further chemicals guidance
This week the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued detailed guidance to businesses that use chemicals on the actions they should take now to minimise any disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

If the UK leaves the EU on 29 March without a deal, UK businesses that manufacture or import chemicals from the EU will have to register those chemicals to a new UK regulatory system. UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) will replace EU REACH and will require businesses to demonstrate how a chemical can be safely used with minimal risk to human health or the environment.
Please share this guidance with your partners and stakeholders.

Pet Travel
Pets will still be able to travel with their owners if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, but the process for doing so will change.

While there are steps that pet owners need to take in advance of travel, if you are a business in the transport industry or animal sector you should also be aware of the process for pet travel after a No Deal exit, to ensure you are prepared. 

Defra published detailed guidance on the steps to take on GOV.UK as well as targeted communications to stakeholders, which include visiting a vet four months before travel for a blood test. Look at the information