Food border checks may be delayed again

The Financial Times reported last week that post-Brexit UK border food checks, that were due to commence at the end of February, may be delayed for 5th time, due to cost and inflation fears.

The FT’s report last week, said that information came from government insiders ahead of the meeting of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee and said that while final details of the border plan would be published “very soon”, its implementation would be pushed back again.

Unless the FT’s report proves to be accurate, Health certification on imports of “medium-risk” products are due to start from the 31st October, with physical checks beginning in January 2024 and safety and security declarations for EU imports introduced from October 2024.

Under the proposed controls due to be introduced in October, EU exporters of food products to the UK would have required “export health certificates” costing several hundred euros each and requiring a physical sign-off by a veterinary surgeon.

The food industry warned last June that plans to charge a flat-rate inspection fee of up to £43 on each consignment of food coming from the EU would drive up food prices, with the government estimating total additional costs of EU controls at £420mn a year.

Additional press reports said it was a “Treasury purge” of all changes that would cause disruption to the supply chain, given the sensitivity of the food market to price inflation in the current economic climate.

The decision to delay October’s start date, could also be intended to give companies and port operators more time to implement the arrangements, despite British exports to the EU subject to full checks since 2021.

The Cold Chain Federation (CCF), said any decision to delay the introduction of October requirements was the “right thing to do” given inflationary pressures and the lack of awareness in the EU about the incoming controls, with 40% of EU clients and suppliers unaware of the new requirements and 41% said they do not have plans in place to ensure compliance.

The CCF claim that only 60% of EU suppliers plan to continue their service at the same frequency if the border changers are implemented, with 10% planning to reduce the frequency and range of UK-based customers they supply, with 7% planning to halt their services to the UK altogether.

We will advise further when the government confirm the delay OR if the FT’s report turns out to be incorrect and the border checks do come into effect on the 31st October.

We can advise you on UK border changes and guide you on the importation of food and food products.

INDICATIVE SCOPE OF SERVICES
– UK Export clearance
– UK import clearance
– T1 creation
– ETSF & general storage
– Preference and origin documents C of O / EUR1
– Export health certificate’s
– EU clearance (import or export) via FR/NL smart border
– Fiscal representation in FR/NL
– IPAFF pre notifications UK (plants and products of animal origin cargo)
– GMR’s (Goods Movement References for the GVMS system)
– TRACES/CHED creation for EU entry

If you would like to learn more about our capability within the EU, please EMAIL Michelle Redman.