Leaders angry as new import rules delayed again

NFU Cymru has expressed its deep disappointment at news that the UK Government has pushed back checks on goods coming into the UK from the EU for a fourth time.

Not only will rules which were due to come in to force in July now be delayed until 2023, but they will also not be introduced in their original form and have instead been scrapped in favour of an unknown system.

Reacting to this development, NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “What I find particularly frustrating is that our exports to EU destinations are subject to the full range of costly and burdensome checks and inspections, whilst at the same time our EU competitors continue to enjoy an extended grace period at the invitation of the UK Government, giving them access to the prized UK market with little cost and bureaucratic burden.

“It’s really galling to see that our exporters are having to meet all the relevant regulatory requirements, whilst EU exports to the UK are subject to minimal checks and controls. This is a deeply unbalanced arrangement which we have been pressing the UK Government to rectify for some time so that we at least have a level playing field with our competitors.”

The National Sheep Association is also angered by the latest developments.

Its chief executive Phil Stocker said: “The outcome of Brexit and new trade deals across the world appears to be leaving our farming industries having to meet higher standards and greater export controls and costs, while opening access to our markets for products not produced to the same standards, not subject to the same border controls, and benefiting from levels of financial support not available in the UK.

“This could seriously damage our own food security.”