Pet owners could face major traveling hurdles if no Brexit deal is reached with the EU, the British government warned. A no-deal scenario could also ground airlines, halt trucks and create headaches for Scotch whisky.
With six months to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union and no divorce deal in sight, the British government released another set of notices on Monday advising people on how to prepare for a "no deal" Brexit.
The latest batch of 25 technical notices outlined the potential impact on UK businesses, airlines — and pet owners.
In the worst-case scenario, "cats, dogs and ferrets" might need to get extra health certificates from their veterinarians and rabies vaccinations if their owners want to travel with them to the EU, the notices stated.
Pet owners would also have to discuss any travel plans with their veterinarian at least four months in advance of their trip.
Planes allowed, pilots grounded
British Prime Minister Theresa May's government said it would continue allowing EU airlines to fly in and out of the country if no deal is struck, adding: "We would expect EU countries to reciprocate in turn."
However, the government noted that although it is working on getting solutions in place by March 29, planes could still be grounded. Without a deal in place, some UK-issued safety and pilot licenses would no longer be recognized by the EU.
There have also been concerns that trucks carrying goods in and out of the UK could be stuck if there is no divorce agreement.
In order to avoid a jam and make sure the trucks will still have access, the UK is also attempting to reach bilateral agreements with the remaining 27 EU member states.
Businesses that make products that have a "geographical indication" (GI) protection — like Scotch whisky, Stilton cheese, Cornish pasties and Herefordshire cider — might also have to undergo significant changes, the government warned.
Producers were advised to prepare applying for GI status in the EU, and new labels would be needed for packaged foods made in the UK.
"Use of the term 'EU' in origin labelling would no longer be correct for food or ingredients from the UK," the government said.
They added that British mineral water might not be accepted in the EU.
Prime Minister May recently urged the EU to come up with new proposals on a divorce settlement after negotiations between London and Brussels reached an impasse.
Business leaders and investors are concerned that if the British government and the EU fail to reach a Brexit agreement, the UK could crash out of the bloc without a deal, upending financial markets.
rs/rt (AFP, Reuters)
Who's who in Brexit?
Britain is leaving the European Union, but who exactly is directing the drama? DW takes a look at the people involved in the messy divorce.
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Britain's embattled skipper: Theresa May
May became prime minister after David Cameron resigned from the post in the wake of the Brexit referendum vote in June 2016. Despite her position, she has struggled to define what kind of Brexit her government wants. Hardliners within her Conservative party want her to push for a clean break. Others want Britain to stay close to the bloc. The EU itself has rejected many of May's Brexit demands.
The leader of the British Labour Party has no formal role in the Brexit talks, but he is influential as the head of the main opposition party. Labour has tried to pressure the Conservative government, which has a thin majority in Parliament, to seek a "softer" Brexit. But Corbyn's own advocacy has been lukewarm. The long-time leftist voted for the UK to leave the European Community (EC) in 1975.
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Britain's boisterous Brexiteer: Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson's turbulent two years as UK foreign secretary came to an abrupt end with his resignation on July 9. The conservative had been a key face for the Leave campaign during the 2016 referendum campaign. Johnson disapproves of the "soft Brexit" sought by PM May, arguing that a complete break from the EU might be preferable. He became the second Cabinet member within 24 hours to quit...
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Britain's cheery ex-delegate: David Davis
David Davis headed Britain's Department for Exiting the EU and was the country's chief negotiator in the talks before he quit on July 8, less than 24 hours before Downing Street announced Boris Johnson's departure. Davis had long opposed Britain's EU membership and was picked for the role for this reason. Davis was involved in several negotiating rounds with his EU counterpart, Michel Barnier.
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Britain's former Brexit secretary: Dominic Raab
Raab replaced Davis in early July 2018. But he only lasted four months, resigning a day after Theresa May presented a draft withdrawal plan to her cabinet. Raab previously worked for a Palestinian negotiator in the Oslo peace process and as an international lawyer in Brussels advising on European Union and World Trade Organization law.
Jeremy Hunt was Britain's Health Secretary until he replaced Boris Johnson as foreign secretary in early July 2018. The 51-year-old supported Britain remaining in the European Union during the 2016 referendum, but said in late 2017 that he had changed his mind in response to the "the arrogance of the EU Commission" during Brexit talks. He has vowed to help get Britain a "great Brexit deal."
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Britain's firebrand: Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage was the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) until July 2016. Under his stewardship, the party helped pressure former Prime Minister David Cameron into calling the EU referendum. He was also a prominent activist in the Leave campaign in the lead-up to the vote. Farage still has some influence over Brexit talks due to his popularity with pro-Leave voters.
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Brexit's banker: Arron Banks
Businessman Arron Banks is a friend of Nigel Farage, and donated a significant sum to the former UKIP leader's Leave.EU campaign – making him the group's biggest financial backer. He had several meetings with Russian officials ahead of the referendum, but has denied allegations of collusion with Moscow in the Brexit vote, branding the claims a "political witch hunt."
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Europe's honchos: Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk
EU Commission President Juncker (left) and EU Council President Tusk (right) share two of the bloc's highest posts. Juncker heads the EU's executive. Tusk represents the governments of the 27 EU countries — the "EU 27." Both help formulate the EU's position in Brexit negotiations. What Tusk says is particularly noteworthy: His EU 27 masters — not the EU commission — must agree to any Brexit deal.
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Europe's steely diplomat: Michel Barnier
The former French foreign minister and European commissioner has become a household name across the EU since his appointment as the bloc's chief Brexit negotiator in October 2016. Despite his prominence, Barnier has limited room to maneuver. He is tasked with following the EU 27's strict guidelines and must regularly report back to them during the negotiations.
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Ireland's uneasy watchman: Leo Varadkar
The Irish PM has been one of the most important EU 27 leaders in Brexit talks. Britain has said it will leave the EU's customs union and single market. That could force the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, to put up customs checks along the border with Northern Ireland, a British province. But Varadkar's government has repeatedly said the return of a "hard" border is unacceptable.
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Europe's power-brokers: the EU 27
The leaders of the EU 27 governments have primarily set the EU's negotiating position. They have agreed to the negotiating guidelines for chief negotiator Barnier and have helped craft the common EU position for Tusk and Juncker to stick to. The individual EU 27 governments can also influence the shape of any Brexit outcome because they must unanimously agree to a final deal.
