The third delay in the planned post-Brexit check on fruits and vegetables imported into Britain from EU has been made due to concerns raised by suppliers that the checks could result in higher prices for consumers.
The government has announced that it will postpone by six months the plans to implement checks on certain fruits and vegetables, like celery and tomato from 1 January. This is to give them more time to assess their impact on business.This is the third delay in 12 months. Originally, the checks were to be introduced at the end of 2024.
Fresh Produce Consortium (which represents 700 companies) had called for a delay. They warned that checks could result in an increase of more than £200m in import costs, and higher prices at supermarkets.Fruit and vegetable checks are part of the Border Target Operating Model , which was introduced on 30 April 2010.The original launch date for the scheme, April 2021, was delayed five times.
The BTOM system involves the inspection of certain high-risk animal and plant products at border posts in Britain’s ports to prevent the introduction of plant and animal disease. The border control posts charge importers for the inspection costs.Importers of fruit and vegetables were granted a period of easement for products considered medium-risk until the 1st January 2025.
The government has announced that the exemption will now be extended to 1 July, and importers won’t be subjected to any checks or fees until then.A spokesperson for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “This is a temporary measure so that new ministers can review the planned implementation further border controls and have an opportunity to listen and learn from businesses in the supply chain.”
The government also confirmed that a number of fruit and vegetables, such as apples and pears which had previously been deemed “medium risk”, would now be reclassified to “low-risk” and imported without any charges or checks.
The FPC stated that it is still awaiting the final list for products that have been recategorized and will now be exempted from checking, but that 80% of all fresh fruits and vegetables are likely to be exempted from checks.
Nigel Jenney said, “We are pleased that the new Government is listening to robust and cost-effective alternative the industry has been proposing for years.
“However we need to fundamentally reconsider the broader strategic approach in terms of the negative impact it has on imports of cut plants and flowers, which harms the backbone of the industry, wholesalers, and SMEs.”
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