Post-Brexit Food Import Checks on EU Delayed for Fifth Time, Raising Concerns for UK Farmers

The UK government is reportedly preparing to delay for the fifth time the introduction of checks on food imports from the EU, eliciting concerns from farming leaders.

Despite new controls enforced on UK meat exports to the EU following Brexit, corresponding checks in the UK have seen repeated postponements. The decision to further delay the enforcement of these checks is expected to be announced shortly, according to media sources.

Last year, the government expressed it would withhold any checks until a new digital system was implemented. The draft Border Target Operating Model was to be rolled out over a year, starting with health certification on imports of medium risk animal and plant products from 31 October, followed by additional checks over the next 12 months. However, these measures are allegedly due to be delayed for the fifth time.

The postponed checks, now expected to be introduced by the end of January 2024, are intended to give both the government and EU exporters more time for preparations. But, this move could put Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at odds with UK domestic food producers.

The UK food and farming industry have criticized this decision, arguing it gives a free pass to EU competitors while all fresh food exports from the UK are subjected to checks. Government insiders cite controlling inflation as the motivation behind the decision, as the checks would introduce ‘additional costs at the border.’

The news has been deemed ‘hugely frustrating’ by the National Pig Association (NPA), claiming it puts UK food producers at a significant disadvantage and compromises protection against diseases such as African swine fever.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) shared similar sentiments, arguing the move favors EU businesses and extends this advantage. FUW president, Ian Rickman, criticized the UK government’s failure to adequately prepare for its own hard Brexit policy, resulting in ‘limping from extension to extension’ and unfair competition for UK businesses.