The UK government, under Rishi Sunak’s administration, has officially confirmed a significant delay for the introduction of new post-Brexit border checks on imported food, animal, and plant products from the EU, marking the fifth postponement of the initiative. Originally slated for gradual implementation starting in October, these additional regulatory measures will now be deferred until 2024. The decision to delay these alterations to the “border operating model” has stirred accusations of “complete disorder” in the government’s handling of the transition, following an initial report in early August.
To provide clarity in response to mounting business uncertainty, the government has recently announced a three-month extension for the availability of health certificates required for imports. These certificates will now be obtainable from January 31. A subsequent phase involving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) inspections of medium-risk food, animal, and plant products is set to be implemented by April 30.
Baroness Neville Rolfe, the Cabinet Office minister, has expressed the expectation that this new system will facilitate “more efficient business transactions” and bring about “significant advantages to the UK economy and trade.”
In the face of previous criticism surrounding the preparations for the latest post-Brexit wave of regulatory requirements, business groups have largely embraced this delay, noting that it will help avert “major disruptions” both at border crossings and within supermarket supply chains. William Bain, head of trade at the British Chambers of Commerce, commended the clarity offered by the delay as businesses brace for the intricate transition to digital trading systems. He further emphasized the need for the government to support businesses and port authorities in their readiness for the impending paperwork adjustments by January.
Fresh Produce Alliance CEO Nigel Janney echoed the sentiment, indicating that fruit and vegetable importers also view the delay positively. Janney mentioned that the government’s response reflects their consideration of concerns expressed by industry stakeholders. However, he acknowledged that challenges in implementation persist.
Shane Brennan, CEO of the Cold Chain Alliance, lauded the government’s decision to delay, stressing that it is the right course of action. He underscored the unpreparedness of several EU food producers to comply with the new requisites, potentially leading to significant disruptions for UK food retailers, hospitality establishments, and consumers.
Yet, Labour’s shadow international trade secretary, Nick Thomas Symonds, criticized the government’s handling of the situation, stating that this delay only reinforces the confusion created by the Conservative administration. He argued that attempting to introduce substantial reforms so close to the implementation deadline is “unfeasible.”
SNP business spokesperson Richard Thomson MP expressed concern that the government seems determined to amplify the challenges for ordinary citizens amidst a cost of living crisis, rather than seeking ways to alleviate the situation.
Prior to the UK’s departure from the EU, membership in the EU’s single market and customs union facilitated the import of food from Europe without significant paperwork requirements. The government asserts that its “risk-based” strategy for introducing import checks will have a negligible impact on food inflation, projecting a less than 0.2% increase in headline inflation over three years.
Although EU imports categorized as low-risk, including most fruits and vegetables, will not necessitate additional documentation next year, each shipment will incur a new fee of up to £43, in addition to separate charges for customs agents and SPS inspections en route. A more comprehensive set of safety and security declarations for EU imports will be introduced in October 2024, marking further alterations for businesses.
Initially, business owners were warned that these new checks would lead to over £800 million in additional costs. However, this sum is expected to be mitigated by £520 million as the development of a “digital” trade system progresses, according to official sources. The government remains steadfast in its assertion that data sharing will streamline administrative processes, aided by a “single trade window” through which businesses can submit trade-related information, reducing redundancy within the system.
