Firms are left frustrated by delay in EU checks – MPs
MPs have cast doubt on the government’s readiness for post-Brexit border checks due to come in next week, arguing that a scaling back of its plans would be a sixth delay to their long awaited introduction.
The environment, food and rural affairs select committee has written to the government demanding clarity over the exact nature of the physical inspections on plant and food products, after it emerged these may be significantly scaled back owing to fears of delays at the border.
The government is scheduled to begin checks on medium- and highrisk plant and animal imports from the EU on Tuesday. However, the Financial Times reported last week that large parts of the risk management system would initially not be switched on, after concerns the systems would not be ready.
The government insisted checks would begin but said some would be delayed. Inspectors would focus on the highest-risk products before scaling up to a more comprehensive regime in the future.
Robert Goodwill, the chair of the select committee, asked the government what the latest delays entailed and what a graduated approach to the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks would look like in practice.
In a letter to the environment secretary, Steve Barclay, Goodwill said ports and businesses were “confused and frustrated” by the delivery of these essential border controls.
He said: “We are concerned that your approach, if as reported, has resulted from poor planning and delivery of the model.” Goodwill added: “We are concerned that this is a sixth delay to the implementation of SPS import checks in all but name.”
Physical border checks were first scheduled to be introduced in July 2021 but were pushed back as several border control posts were unfinished. There have been four subsequent delays, most recently in August 2023.
A government spokesperson said: “Taking a pragmatic approach to introducing our new border checks minimises disruption, protects our biosecurity and benefits everyone – especially traders.
“There has been extensive engagement with businesses over the past year – with our approach welcomed by several trade associations and port authorities. We are confident we have sufficient capacity and capability across all points of entry to handle the volume and type of expected checks.”