West Dorset MP reacts to Brexit deal

Chris Loder is hopeful it'll be good news for the local economy

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 26th Dec 2020
Last updated 29th Dec 2020

The post-Brexit trade deal was approved between the UK and European Union on Christmas Eve afternoon (Thursday 24th December).

While the finer details are still being diseminated, one local MP says the '11th hour' nature of it was to be expected.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has told Greatest Hits Radio:

"I think the prime minister is quite right to stand his ground, and the negotiating team quite right to stand their ground as well, to make sure we can get the best deal possible.

"Where you have really tough, hard negotiations, it does often get to the point of the wire before an agreement is made."

The deadline for the Brexit transition period was New Year's Eve (Thursday 31st December).

The negotiations on a post Brexit trade deal have been ongoing for over four years

Chris Loder says he's hopeful the deal will help Dorset’s economy and provide more jobs.

One of the sticking points throughout the negotiations has been control over fishing waters and quotas.

It's been decided, there'll be a five-and-a-half year transition period now for the fishing industry.

The MP for West Dorset says the county's fishing fleet has only got smaller over the last 20 years.

"Part of the reason that they're not much bigger, and that thriving economy has not taken off is as a direct effect of access to UK's fishing water to others in the European Union."

He also hopes the deal will mean there can be progress on an issue close to his heart; the live export of animals. He said:

"One of the things I have also been very outspoken about in more recent times is my opposition to live animal exports.

"The reality is the reason we have to do it, is that animals, albeit live, are classified as goods under the free movement of goods and services as the position we've had within the single market.

"That comes to a close, and therefore live animal exports do not have to continue as they have done previously."

He says animals are often transported thousands of miles over land and sea, only to be slaughtered in poor conditions outside of Europe.

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