Industry “angered and appalled” at further delays to post-Brexit import checks on food

While thorough checks have been in place for UK food exports to the EU since 1 January 2021, targets for introducing equivalent checks on food products imported from the EU have consistently been missed by the UK government.

The industry claims British food producers have suffered as a result of this inaction, which gives EU businesses an unfair advantage over UK food exporters who continue to bear the cost of extra checks at EU borders.

The latest delays are said to have been caused by fears of further inflation and food price increases, with the Cold Chain Federation claiming UK retailers were spared from major shortages due to EU food suppliers not being ready for the new requirements.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has described the ongoing delay in post-Brexit border checks on food as ‘baffling’ and an ‘blow’ for many UK producers who were yet again deprived of a level footing when exporting to the EU.

Responding to the news, FUW president Ian Rickman said: “Whilst it is understandable that such checks have the potential to push up prices, that will be of little comfort to our producers who have to comply with a plethora of regulations and checks in order to export their goods.

“Our borders continue to operate like valves that make it extremely difficult and costly for us to export to the EU, due to all the paperwork and checks at EU borders, but it’s extremely easy for those in the EU to import into the UK because the UK Government has waived the need for equivalent checks at our own borders.”

Mr Rickman added that farmers and many processors were frustrated with the government’s inability to prepare properly for its own hard-Brexit policy, and was now extending deadlines to make up for its failings in a way which would disadvantage many Welsh businesses and favour many EU businesses.

“We should not be in a situation where we are limping from extension to extension because of a lack of planning and foresight by the UK Government, while UK businesses are suffering unfair competition as a result,” he remarked.

Echoing his words, Nick von Westenholz, director of trade at the National Farmers Union, was quoted by the BBC as saying: “We appreciate the need to protect consumers from rising food prices, but it is vital that we introduce proportionate, light-touch checks on all our food imports that keep costs for importers to a minimum while properly managing biosecurity risks.”

Concerns over food security and exposure to disease

With the government missing its most recent legislative timeline, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy has called on the Cabinet Office to make a formal announcement on the delay and provide a fresh timescale for introducing border checks.

“The Scottish food and farming sector is yet again angered and appalled at a decision that seriously disregards the interests of our home food producers in favour of a cheap food policy that encourages asymmetric trade.”

While the government was due to roll out a new Border target operating model (TOM) on 31^st October, followed by physical import checks starting in January 2024 and a full regime in place by October 2024, NFU Scotland was extremely disappointed to learn that ongoing delays are set to continue.

Mr Kennedy also highlighted that the government’s “lax approach” to border controls increases the risk of farmers and crofters being exposed to devastating animal and plant diseases such as African Swine Fever.

“The longer there is no effective system in place, the greater the distortion of the market for UK producers – with importers facing less bureaucracy and cost than those looking to export produce from the UK to EU – and the longer our borders are left open to the potential introduction of plant and animal diseases.

“We understand that the UK Government will shortly set out the new timetable for the import regime, to finally deliver a level playing field for UK farming, food and drink sectors.  Regrettably, there will be little confidence amongst industry that the timetable will be adhered to,” Mr Kennedy concluded.

British Veterinary Association president Malcolm Morley also expressed frustration over the government delaying the introduction of crucial border checks on EU food imports, adding the move is putting the UK’s biosecurity at serious risk of imported diseases.

“The British Veterinary Association urges the Government to urgently press ahead with introducing the checks or risk the safety and security of our agricultural industry, food security and UK public health.”