UK bait brands seek clarification on post Brexit exports to Europe

UK bait brands, Dynamite and Mainline, are seeking urgent clarification on a Brexit ruling they say will effectively ban UK anglers from taking baits into Europe.

The companies have enlisted the support of the Angling Trust, the body that represents anglers in England and Wales, to challenge a ruling that says the export of baits derived from animal produce, such as boilies, requires a European Health Certificate (EHC) to be completed.

Since the UK-EU trade agreement came into force on January 1, the EHC for baits of this kind has the same requirements as exported animal feed, which involves exhaustive and expensive testing along with certification from a vet. The Trust argues that for export to Europe to be effective bait needs to be under a simple EHC classification. And the Angling Trades Association – the industry representative body – hopes to provide a briefing on the issue this week.

“We will continue to press the EU to facilitate this change of EHC classification,” said Mark Owen, the Trust’s Head of Freshwater. “From our understanding, the current position will impact on anglers purchasing bait in England to go fishing in Europe once Covid travel restrictions are lifted, as they would have to produce an EHC if challenged. We are presently seeking clarification that our interpretation is correct and more information will follow.”

Trust CEO, Jamie Cook, said it was ‘ridiculous’ that fishing baits for species that are returned alive should be treated as if they were part of food production. “I have asked my team to work with the angling trade to press the European Commission to see sense.”