Brexit: Cabinet minister ‘admitted EU is correct to ban UK shellfish’ despite branding it ‘legally wrong’

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Cabinet minister is facing claims he privately admitted the EU is right to ban UK shellfish because of Brexit – despite publicly branding it “legally wrong”. An email sent to beleaguered traders by the Shellfish Association says a government letter has “changed this position” and acknowledged that the EU's legal position “is correct”. Yet George Eustice, the environment secretary – while admitting the “devastating blow” to the industry – has insisted there is “no legal barrier” to exports and demanded Brussels back down. We are just asking the EU to abide by their existing regulations and not to seek to change them.” But the email sent by the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, seen by the Politics Home website, said it had received a government “update” on the export of unpurified mussels, clams, scallops, and cockles.