POST BREXIT CONTROL ON IMPORTS – Controls on food, plant and animal imports to Britain from the EU have come into force
Food and fresh flower imports from the European Union (EU) are subject to new Brexit customs controls which have come into force today, adding more than £300m a year to the price of trading with the continent and forcing up the price of food for consumers.
Some industry bodies raised concerns the rules could cause delays but others said they would help UK farmers be more competitive.
The government said its border model would “minimise burdens for traders”.
Under the new Brexit red tape, imports of chilled and frozen meat and fish, cheese and dairy products, and five common varieties of cut flowers will require an export health certificate, signed off by a European vet or plant inspector, before they can enter the UK.
From 30 April the same categories of goods will face physical inspections at the border, raising the prospect of delays and shortages in fast turnaround supply chains.
The new rules come four years after similar checks were imposed on UK exporters to Europe, and have already been delayed five times because of concerns about disruption and increasing costs to consumers.
