UK confirms full Brexit customs checks postponed for fifth time

The UK government has said that it will delay the introduction of post-Brexit checks on food by anot…

The UK government has said that it will delay the introduction of post-Brexit checks on food by another three months after warnings the long-promised new regime would not be ready in time. "Remaining sanitary and phytosanitary controls, as well as full customs controls for non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods, will now be introduced from January 2024", the official statement reads.

"To give stakeholders additional time to prepare for the new checks, further controls have a revised timetable. These include checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products, and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU, implemented in April 2024, and safety and Security declarations for EU imports, implemented in October 2024", the official text reads.

Lord Benyon, Minister for Biosecurity at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:

"Protecting UK biosecurity through effective border controls on the goods that we import is so important. These border controls safeguard the food that we eat and protect animal and plant health across the UK."

"The Border Target Operating Model sets out our innovative system of border controls, which will continue to uphold UK biosecurity and support trade with other countries."

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said:

"FPC welcomes the publication of the final Border Target Operating Model. It's clear the government has acted upon our concerns and will now implement a unique border approach for the benefit of consumers and industry. This focused risk-based approach will reinforce UK biosecurity and promote self-regulation to minimize supply chain disruption."

"Let's be clear, challenges remain. However, this is a bold step forward to achieve our ambition to become a world-leading destination of choice promoting imports and exports of fantastic fresh produce, flowers, and plants."