All UK flights to EU countries could be grounded under a No Deal Brexit, Government warns
ALL British airlines’ flights to the EU could be grounded under a no deal Brexit, the government last night warned.
Under the final tranche of 23 technical notices for businesses and individuals to prepare for the cliff edge scenario next March, ministers admit European governments would have to agree bilateral deals with the UK to keep air space open again.
And flights to 17 non-EU countries - including the US, Canada, Switzerland and Iceland, could also be thrown into jeopardy under a no deal because they currently operate due to the UK being an EU member.
Government guidance published yesterday only stated that it expects “replacement arrangements” to be in place before we exit next March.
Other major travel disruption would include haulage companies needing new permits to cross the channel, restrictions imposed on the size of trailers, coach trips would be put in jeopardy as operators may be banned and pets would need microchips and Rabies jabs 21 days in advance.
Meanwhile drivers would need to be issued with old fashioned ‘green cards’ to prove their insurance is valid to drive on the continent.
The notices are a bid to strengthen PM’s hand at the negotiating table to prove Britain will be ready for no deal.
At present, drivers can cross the Channel and drive where they like within the EU. All you need is your pink EU-compliant UK driving licence and your passport.
A separate Government document warned that UK passengers may have to undergo extra security screening when changing flights in the EU.
Under current rules, neither passengers nor their luggage is usually rescanned when connecting at other EU airports after flying from the UK.
But new advice states that “passengers may have to factor increased time for re-screening into their travel schedule” if the EU does not recognise the UK’s aviation security standards.
Peter Vicary-Smith, Chief Executive of Which? said: “From grounded flights, to bus trips that can’t make it across the Channel and UK driving licences becoming worthless in Europe, it’s clear that a no-deal Brexit could cause chaos for anyone who travels.
"It will potentially leave tourists stranded abroad and make holidays more expensive and inconvenient for millions of people.
“The Government must agree a deal with the European Union to prevent a disaster scenario for consumers that could see their rights effectively snatched away from them.”
Separate documents warned that UK food and drink exporters face being hit with a mountain of red tape if Britain leaves without a deal next March.
They would be forced to rip up all labels to remove any reference to the EU.
Experts warned that this would hike up prices on British goods in European supermarket shelves as manufacturers pass on higher costs.
The Food and Drink Federation warned: “Those export markets will be lost forever.”
They also said yesterday’s no deal planning papers will encourage businesses and even shoppers to stockpile products to protect themselves against the danger of a no deal Brexit.
Food and Drink Federation boss Ian Wright warned: “These actions in turn will increase prices and begin to distort markets immediately.
“The consequences of a no-deal Brexit for UK food and drink are starting to be felt already. The impacts will snowball as we get closer to March 2019.”
Separate papers also warned that a no deal Brexit would imperil producers of traditional British food and drink, who would have to apply for new protected status from the EU.
Some 86 agricultural food and drink products such as Stilton blue cheese and Cornish clotted cream and Welsh lamb are currently given “geographical indication” protection – meaning no other producer in the EU can imitate their recipes.
But they would no longer be given automatic protection if we leave without a deal – and each producers would have to reapply to the EU as a “third country”.
Meanwhile British firms would also be barred from exporting all animals or animal products under a no deal Brexit.
The UK would have to sign a new agreement with the EU with proof that it meets animal health requirements before firms can restart exporting products to the bloc.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab admitted there would be widespread disruption in the short term but insisted the no-deal papers laid out the worst-case scenario.
He told BBC News: "The point of these technical notices – and we've published 24 today, a total of 77 from aviation to motor insurance to taking your pet abroad – the kind of quality of life issues people care about, yes there is some risk of short term disruption, but we're giving the guidance, we're giving the information so that everyone knows what they need to do well in advance."
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