The UK government has now confirmed the Financial Times report was correct and that food border checks will be postponed until January 2024. New health certification requirements for medium and high-risk goods originating in the EU, such as meat and dairy, were due to be introduced in October this year.

Controls on all goods entering Britain post-Brexit were initially planned to begin at the start of 2021, around the same time the EU introduced strict requirements on all UK food exports but import controls have been delayed four times over the past two years. The October 2023 deadline moving back to January 2024 makes it the fifth time the checks are to be delayed.

A statement issued, read: “Having listened to the views of industry, the government has agreed to a delay of three months for the introduction of remaining sanitary and phytosanitary controls.”

New physical checks on imports, due to come into effect in January, will now start in April.

The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) surveyed EU suppliers and noted the three-month delay could avoid disruption during the Christmas trading window. It also found that 39% of European food producing businesses supplying goods to the UK are unaware of the new rules.

Under the new post-Brexit import rules, initially planned to come into force from 31st October 2023 but now pushed back to January 2024, export health certificates signed by a qualified certifying officer would become mandatory for every consignment of ‘medium risk’ meat, dairy and fish products exported from the EU to the UK.

The CCF wrote to ministers, presenting their survey findings and urging a postponement of the October implementation to 31^st January 2024. They argue that a more comprehensive and well-funded communication campaign by the government is necessary to enhance awareness among EU businesses.

Shifting the start date to January 2024 could potentially have a significant positive impact, the CCF highlighted, due to the substantial stress, cost inflation, and pressures within the food supply chain this year.

According to their survey, 78% of EU businesses anticipate increased costs for their UK customers due to the new rules. While 60% intend to maintain the same level of service frequency to UK customers after the new rules are implemented, 10% plan to reduce frequency and 7% intend to cease operations with the UK altogether.

With the existing regulations governing foodstuff imports remaining static, businesses have an additional three-month window to ready your suppliers for the transition while ensuring the smooth flow of your supply chains.

To learn how we can support your declarations for your businesses, contact your Customer Relationship Manager today on 01375 856060 or email crmteam@ugroup.co.uk to discuss.