The alert comes ahead of the scheduled initiation of post-Brexit import checks on January 31, with the UK government planning to introduce new paperwork requirements for EU businesses sending animal and plant products to the UK by the end of this month. Physical inspections are set to commence in April. Despite industry concerns, government officials assert that there will be no further delays to the implementation of these border checks.
According to the Financial Times, Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden to express his concerns about the 31 January start date. He highlighted possible consequences, including queues at ports, import delays and potential inflationary pressures, particularly on food prices.
Thomas-Symonds clarified that Labour is not advocating for a reversal of Brexit but proposed exploring a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU on plant and animal products. The aim is to reduce trade barriers and alleviate costs for both UK producers and consumers.
The Financial Times, quoting Thomas-Symonds’ letter, raised questions about the government’s assessments of the benefits of such an agreement, preparations at key logistical points to minimize delays, and the potential inflationary impact on UK consumers. Industry groups have echoed concerns that EU businesses exporting to the UK might not be adequately prepared for the impending checks, posing a threat to supply chains.
Labour’s Thomas-Symonds stressed the importance of mitigating friction and disruption resulting from the upcoming measures, expressing uncertainty about the January 31 changes given the five previous delays.
The government, in response, asserted that collaborative efforts with businesses have been undertaken to ensure a smooth transition. While acknowledging the potential for inflationary impact, officials estimate it to be negligible, projecting less than 0.2% over a three-year period. The government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering an advanced border, leveraging technology and data to streamline trade processes while safeguarding the flow and security of goods.
Read Trans.iNFO’s guide to the food and drink import measures from the end of January 2024 here: Brexit customs update: health certification needed for some EU imports from 31 Jan.