Highland Council Brexit Working Group meets to consider updates on the forthcoming EU Exit

Members of Highland Council’s Brexit Working Group met on Wednesday (28 October) to consider updates on the EU Exit process covering items such as the current position, the Internal Market Bill, future trading arrangements, immigration, the EU Settlement Scheme, EU funding programmes, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Arctic cooperation and ongoing Brexit preparations.

The Chair of the Brexit Working Group; Cllr Jimmy Gray, who is also Highland Council’s European spokesperson and Chair of the Highlands and Islands European Partnership stated that: “Brexit preparations by Highland Council are as advanced as they can be given the information currently available. There are 64 days to go before we leave the EU fully and full details on a deal or otherwise are still awaited. However, it is already clear that is a complex process with a number of concurrency issues such as COVID and winter preparation, and I would encourage businesses to prepare themselves for the changes that will come into operation on 1 January 2021.

Furthermore I would strongly encourage any fishing vessels registered in the Highland area, if their catch is exported to the EU directly or indirectly, to contact the Council as soon as possible in advance of 31 December 2020 so that they can be registered and their vessels inspected. Failure to do so will result in their catch not being able to be exported to the EU. Contact with Highland Council can be made at fishing.vessel@highland.gov.uk

And finally, I am very keen that any EU Citizens living in Highland , who haven’t already done so , should apply for settled/pre- settled status with the EU Settlement Scheme. You are welcome here and we want you to stay, prosper and enjoy all that Highland has to offer.”

Further information can be found at the following websites

Highland Council: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20012/staff_information/815/brexit

Scottish Government: https://stage.mygov.scot/eu-exit-brexit/

UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/transition

Prepare for Brexit: https://www.prepareforbrexit.scot/

Food & Drink: https://www.gov.scot/publications/eu-exit-food-and-drink-sector-update-october-2020/

Marine & Fisheries: https://www.gov.scot/collections/marine-and-fisheries-exiting-the-eu/

Fish exports: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-fish-to-the-eu-from-1-january-2021?utm_source=bbeba810-f92f-4456-af94-4f920219ce35&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

List of Customs Agents: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-customs-agents-and-fast-parcel-operators

HIE: https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/brexit-support-for-scotland/

Institute of Exporters & International Trade: https://www.export.org.uk/

Chambers of Commerce: https://www.inverness-chamber.co.uk/international