Emergency legislation currently before the French parliament provides for the fast-tracking of new inspection points at ports handling traffic with the UK in case of a no-deal Brexit.

A government bill requests special powers to exempt such developments from ordinary planning, CPO, procurement, environmental and other regulations in case their construction is needed by 29 March.

“The UK’s withdrawal from the EU will reinstate veterinary, sanitary, phytosanitary and safety checks, as well as customs procedures. These checks must be in place on the day the UK withdraws in case of a no-deal exit, or at the end of the transition period in case such an agreement is implemented,” the bill states.

The proposed legislation notes that France has insufficient inspection points at four ports connecting it to the UK, especially for live animals, and none at five others or at the Channel Tunnel.

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