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Dorset fish merchant says UK seafood industry at risk of collapse

Post-Brexit bureaucracy has resulted in fish delivery delays to European countries.

A Dorset fish merchant has told Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Solent that the UK seafood industry in the south is at risk of collapse within weeks unless the post-Brexit trading environment with European countries is improved.
Samways Fish Shop in West Bay is a 60 year old family business - it works with more than 150 local vessels and 95 per cent of its exports are to European countries.
But deliveries of fresh produce are taking up to twice as long to reach customers, with stock delayed at French ports by a combination of red tape, paperwork and IT issues.
The Samways family has written a letter to Government asking for urgent action to be taken to quicken the export process.
A DEFRA spokesperson said: "We are working closely with the industry to help understand and address the issues they are experiencing. The UK and French systems are working, but we are contacting exporters, their representatives and transporters to help them understand the requirements to keep their goods moving".
Reporter Laurence Herdman has been speaking with Charlie Samways..

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