Aramie
Many of you have submitted questions to your voice, the BBC news about the transaction signed between the UK and the European Union this week.
Your questions touch on a variety of issues, including work, food, travel, and more.
Our experts have delved into the details to understand the meaning of a deal for you and your family.
Are occupational qualifications recognized across the UK and EU borders?
Anna Maria, a dental student studying in Bulgaria, asked about the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which was the Labour Party’s manifesto pledge. Our political reporter, Becky Morton, has looked into the details of the deal.
In a manifesto last year, Labour said “we will try to secure mutual recognition contracts of external professional qualifications to help open up the market for UK service exporters.”
That means that experts, such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other qualified nationals can practice in a system already in place across the EU, a minimal extra bureaucracy.
The Monday deal promises to set up a “dedicated dialogue” regarding the recognition of professional qualifications, but a full agreement could take much longer to negotiate.
Such an agreement will make it easier for British companies to move staff between the UK and the EU and take on short-term jobs in Europe.
However, given the current situation makes it difficult for UK companies to compete for business in Europe, there may be fewer incentives for the EU to agree to a deal.
Can Britons skip long queues of non-EU passport holders?
Malcolm of Bristol wanted to be more clear about what the contract meant for passport queues for British citizens visiting the EU. Our transportation correspondent Simon Browning explains.
While some EU ports and airports already allow UK citizens to use modern e-gates, many people do not, and Queue is familiar to vacationers.
The new contract will make e-gates more clear and provide that UK citizens can use them in the future, but the EU Commission says it won’t be in time for this summer.
However, the timeline still appears to be controversial as the UK government shows it expects that there may be a change in time in the summer.
The EU has said there will be no changes before the new EU border security system comes into effect in October.
This means that people who have to queue people to enter EU countries can be a feature of travel beyond this year, even if E-Gate usage becomes more widely available.
In short, that means that long lines at several destinations could last this holiday season and perhaps beyond that.
Decisions regarding UK citizens using E-Gate are not blankets across the block. Instead, it is up to the individual countries to decide how to manage queues at the border.
Will my pet passport resume in time for summer?
I’ve been asked a lot about my pet passports. Our political correspondent, Jack Fenwick, looked into when the scheme went up and running.
In short, we still don’t know if there will be any changes this summer time.
The agreement between the UK and the EU promises to introduce a new passport system that will make it easier for people to travel with their pets and end the need to obtain repeat veterinary certificates.
Many UK vacationers are keen to present these rules in time for this year’s trip.
However, the so-called PET passport is based on part of a contract known as the Hygiene and Plant Testing Agreement. And while the UK and the EU have agreed to work together in this area, its full scope has not yet been fully embodied.
What does this transaction mean to British farmers?
Chris of Bristol asked if British farmers must accept EU regulations on food standards. Our business correspondent Simon Jack assessed the impact.
The new agreement will remove the need for time-consuming and expensive veterinary checks and forms, but in return the UK will have to meet EU food standards.
As these regulations change, the UK will need to change too.
The government argues that they may have a say in how those rules develop and may negotiate exceptions, but there is no vote.
The National Farmers Union has been a major welcome to the new contract. This is because the speed at which products can be moved is important, as they provide easy and quick access to a large market of perishable products.
Is it easy for a British band to tour in Europe?
Eastbourne’s Andy asked if the deal would allow for free and unlimited movements for musicians and bands on tours in Europe. Our political reporter, Becky Morton, replied.
Since Brexit, British musicians have faced additional costs and red tape when touring Europe.
The industry has urged the government to find solutions and workers’ general election manifesto that pledged to “support tour artists” as part of its negotiations with the EU.
However, the deal agreed on Monday simply promises to recognize the “values” of tour artists and continue their efforts to “support travel and cultural exchange.”
The UK says it will explore “the best way to improve tour arrangements around the continent of Europe.”
Tom Keel, the industry’s leading British Music CEO, hailed it as a “significant first step,” but said the sector wanted a “more specific commitment.”
Will this contract affect the UK’s ability to boost trade around the world?
Brian of Nottingham asked about the knock-on effect the agreement could have on the UK’s ability to negotiate trade deals with other countries. Political correspondent Jack Fenwick looked into it for him.
If the UK re-enters a customs union or single market, like the trans-Pacific partnership, other trade agreements have a knock-on effect, but this relatively limited contract is not too far.
However, the UK is effectively a rule taker in terms of EU standards for food and agriculture exports, but the government is pretty pleased with it for two reasons.
First of all, the Minister doesn’t want to lower food standards anyway. This was seen during recent trade negotiations with the US.
Second, the UK’s level of trade is significantly higher than other agreements signed by the EU in recent years.
This UK-EU deal is expected to ultimately increase by around £9 billion a year, mainly from food, agriculture and energy trades. Compare that with the much broader agreement signed with India this year. This will bring about economic benefits of around £5 billion a year.
