Amidst the countdown to the implementation of new post-Brexit border checks, British lawmakers are urging the government to provide urgent clarity on the upcoming procedures.
Scheduled to commence on April 30, these checks have sparked concerns among businesses regarding potential disruptions to trade flows and consumer goods availability.
The first phase of Britain’s Border Target Operating Model, which necessitates additional certification for imports from the EU, took effect on January 31.
The impending second phase, set to begin on April 30, will introduce physical inspections at ports for various “medium risk” products, including animal products, plants, and certain floral items.
Concerns Mount Over Impending Changes in Post-Brexit Trade Regulations
While larger enterprises and major supermarkets are equipped to manage the added administrative burdens, smaller retailers and wholesalers fear the repercussions on product diversity, freshness, and pricing.
Reports circulating last week suggested a possible delay in the full commencement of the new regime, which the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) promptly refuted.
However, the DEFRA’s indication of initially setting the check rate at zero percent for all commodity groups has raised eyebrows among parliamentary lawmakers.
Conservative Party lawmaker and EFRA committee chair Robert Goodwill expressed concerns over what he perceives as yet another delay in implementing crucial sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import checks.
In a letter addressed to DEFRA minister Steve Barclay, Goodwill seeks clarification on the practical implications of a “graduated” or “light touch” approach to the April 30 measures, including the proportion of SPS checks to be conducted across different product categories.
Acknowledging the confusion and frustration experienced by ports and businesses, the EFRA committee stresses the urgent need for clear communication from the government to ensure public and business confidence in the incoming border controls while minimizing disruption.
In response, the government has affirmed its commitment to a pragmatic approach, emphasizing the prioritization of medium and high-risk goods to ensure biosecurity while gradually ramping up check rates and compliance levels.
Despite assurances, stakeholders remain vigilant as the deadline approaches, awaiting further guidance on the operationalization of the new border checks.
