As post Brexit regulations take effect, new controls on food, plant, and animal imports from the EU to Britain are now in force. Health certificates are now mandatory for a range of EU goods, including cut flowers, fresh produce, meat, fruit, and vegetables.
While the government asserts that these measures aim to “minimise burdens for traders,” concerns have been raised within the industry. Some worry that the rules may lead to delays and increased costs, but others believe they will enhance competitiveness for UK farmers.
The implementation of these controls comes four years after the UK’s departure from the EU. The delay in enforcing new trade rules, a legal requirement under the Brexit agreement, has led to a significant shift in the free flow of goods, allowed since the creation of the EU single market in 1993.
This change signals a reversal in the free movement of goods between the UK and the EU, with the regulations applying to imports from the EU to the UK. While red tape has already impacted British exporters trading in the opposite direction for the past three years, the new border checks will be phased in over the next year, with physical checks starting on April 30.
Some industry concerns revolve around potential disruptions to business supply chains, including the possibility of lorries being halted at ports to ensure correct documentation. The fear is that additional checks may raise import costs for businesses, leading to increased prices for consumers.
Starting this week, the key change is the introduction of “export health certificates” on imports of “medium risk” animal products and plants from the EU to Britain. This necessitates a veterinary health check to be conducted in the EU for each consignment of meat, fruit, and vegetable produce entering Britain.
While not all produce will require checks, industry experts suggest that, in practice, most consignments will be subject to inspections. Controls are also applied to goods from Ireland for the first time, although the government asserts that goods will move freely to and from Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
Despite the government’s aim to digitise and simplify health certificates, concerns persist about the additional bureaucracy and costs imposed on businesses. Some critics argue that many checks were already in place before Brexit, making the added measures redundant and contributing to rising costs.
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) expressed apprehensions about the impending physical inspections, particularly concerning imported meat. With a reliance on the EU for a significant portion of its beef, sheep meat, and pork, the UK imports 22%, 21%, and 49%, respectively. The BMPA warned of potential disruptions and increased costs for essential meat supplies.
Acknowledging that the controls would raise food prices, the government emphasised the steps taken to “minimise disruption to legitimate trade” and reiterated the ongoing collaboration with traders and businesses to refine the controls. However, the lack of clarity on how goods lacking necessary paperwork will be handled remains an open question, according to the British Chambers of Commerce. As the industry adjusts to the new post-Brexit landscape, challenges and concerns persist, prompting ongoing scrutiny and discussions among stakeholders.
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