The lack of an inspection post at the Port of Calais is Michael Gove’s “biggest area of concern” as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

The Defra secretary made the comment during an evidence session in the House of Lords EU energy and environment sub-committee on Wednesday. “My biggest areas of concern are over those areas in which we have no control – for example the actions of a third party,” said Gove.

He told the committee that around one fifth of the UK’s exports leave via the Dover Straits and Eurotunnel and that products of animal origin from third countries – such as the UK will be when it leaves the EU – need to go through a border inspection post.

“Because Calais has no inspection post, that is my single biggest concern, and of course, it’s not within my power to direct that [although] we can seek to persuade the French,” Gove said.

Need to accommodate devolved administrations

Michael Gove also said that he had asked his civil servants to work with devolved administrations on the challenging number (around 90) of statutory instruments which need to be delivered before March 2019.

“One of the things I have said to the team is please, please be as accommodating as possible to the needs of the devolved administrations,” Gove said.

He said that he was confident this could be done and that the urgency of the task had been downgraded – in Whitehall terminology – from red to amber.

Inquiry into Brexit effects on Scottish farming

A committee of Scottish MPs has launched a new inquiry to inform thinking on how the UK’s post-Brexit policy can meet the needs of Scottish farming and crofting.

In particular, it will examine the implications of the repatriation of EU powers to the UK and how to stabilise common frameworks across its constituent countries.

It a statement announcing the inquiry, the committee stated it will also explore “the implications of the Agriculture Bill not giving powers to the Scottish government”.

MPs will also take evidence on availability of agricultural workers and farm productivity – with an emphasis on science and technology.