THE British government could lose access to vital EU pest and disease threats after Brexit, it has been warned.
The potential threats are contained in a report published by The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Committee .
Around 300 different pests and diseases were intercepted at borders last year.
The majority of decisions on how to react to biosecurity threats are currently made at an EU level.
The British government also currently benefits from EU-wide intelligence gathering and disease notification systems, systems for tracing plant and animal movements, and coordinated research efforts.
When Brexit kicks in next year the British will no longer be part of the alert network.
The Westminster committee has now identified seven different areas where Brexit could lead to a shortfall in biosecurity, including Information sharing, Inspections and audits and enforcement of biosecurity legislation.
Lord Teverson, Chairman of the Committee, said: “We rely on the EU for everything from auditing plant nurseries and farms to funding our research laboratories.
“The UK Government has a huge amount of work to do to replace this system in time for Brexit, and failure to do so could have an economic and environmental impact that would be felt for decades to come.”
The committee has urged the British government to seek continued participation in the EU’s notification and intelligence sharing networks.
Meanwhile, campaigners are set to hold a Brexit demonstration in Dublin today.
The "From Civil Rights to Land Rights: Stories from a Dirty Border and a Dirty Brexit" protest, which will include environmental campaigners from the north, will take place outside the Dáil.
