Defra is analysing the responses to the 'Charging arrangements at government-run border control posts' consultation and carefully assessing potential impacts on food imports. This will ensure we implement a charging system that will deliver best value for traders, and one that meets the Government’s cost recovery objectives in as transparent and fair way as possible. We expect to publish a summary of the responses and an update on the Common User Charge proposal shortly.

Exports of livestock to the EU will require an Export Health Certificate (EHC), certified by a suitably qualified Official Veterinarian (OV), following the end of the transition period. Checks on EHCs will take place at the Border Control Post (BCP) of arrival in the EU, as opposed to the port of departure in Great Britain (GB). Generally, livestock animals already require a form of veterinary certification to move between GB and the EU. The training required for vets to certify ungulate exports has been made available free of charge by the Government and we expect sufficient resource will be available as a result. There are currently approximately 700 OVs authorised to certify ungulate exports across GB.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) already carry out controls on live animal imports. From 1 January they will continue to carry these out at destination, meaning that there will be no controls on imported live animals at ports, including Portsmouth. The APHA will ensure that the necessary live animal inspection resources are in place in time for July 2021, when all live animals imports will need to enter GB via an established point of entry with an appropriate Border Control Post (BCP).

For security reasons, the Government cannot divulge how the vaccine will travel across borders. A number of scenarios have been investigated and we have put in place robust contingency plans to ensure that vaccine freight will continue unimpeded.

The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will enter into force at the end of the transition period. For the first time in almost fifty years, the UK will be able to set its own tariff rates on imported goods. This is an opportunity to create a tariff tailored to our economy, benefiting our consumers and supportive of our industry. To inform the development of this bespoke tariff regime, the Government has launched a public consultation. Once the consultation closes, the Government will carefully consider all available evidence, including consultation responses, and an announcement on the UKGT will follow in due course.

The Department has made no such assessment. The United Kingdom’s Government policy is that there is no VAT on drugs prescribed by a qualified professional. HM Treasury keeps all taxes under review but there are no plans to extend the zero rate to other products at this time. Our priority is to ensure that patients have access to medicines which are certified as safe and effective, and which are affordable for the National Health Service. We welcome the announcement of Orkambi.

In July 2017 the Prime Minister announced a full public inquiry, under the Inquiries Act 2005, to conduct an independent review of all the events surrounding the tragedy of infection with blood products.

Following a consultation, the Inquiry’s wide ranging, and United Kingdom-wide terms of reference were presented to Parliament by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Rt. hon David Lidington MP), and published in July 2018.

Those terms of reference include to “…identify…any individual responsibilities, as well as organisational and systemic failures.”

Further information is available on the Inquiry’s website at the following link:

https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/

In July 2017 the Prime Minister announced the creation of a full public inquiry, under the Inquiries Act 2005, to conduct an independent review of all the events surrounding the tragedy of infection with blood products.

Following a consultation, the Inquiry’s wide ranging, and United Kingdom-wide terms of reference were presented to Parliament by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Rt. hon David Lidington MP), and published in July 2018.

Chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, the Inquiry is currently gathering evidence and is due to hear testimony from those affected by the events, as well as those responsible from the Government, the National Health Service and other organisations.

Further information is available on the Inquiry’s website at the following link:

https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/

There is no separate commodity code for Fairtrade chocolate in the UK integrated tariff. The information requested is therefore not available.