Border import controls – essential information

The government has announced that, as of 16 December 2024, checks of young tomato, cucumber, pepper, and aubergines plants will now be subject to 10% checks.

This is a further reduction from the 30% frequency as previously set out and follows sustained and consistent dialogue between NFU and the relevant crop associations with Defra and the APHA, regarding concerns raised by protected edible growers about the biosecurity and potential delays at the border.

Please note that 30% checks for other non-woody plants, other than protected edible crops, still stands.

In a statement received by the NFU from Defra, the department said: “Import inspection frequencies are kept under constant review considering the current risk position.

“The UK Plant Health Risk Group has reviewed the position for tomato, cucumber, pepper, and aubergine plants for commercial indoor production of edible crops from the EU and determined that a 10% frequency should apply.

“This frequency will be implemented immediately.

“As in all cases, this frequency will be kept under review in light of new information, including results of import inspections and surveillance.”

If you have any questions regarding this, please email [email protected]. 

The government has confirmed that physical and identity checks on non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain will not start during 2024. The government will provide a further update ahead of summer 2025.

In the meantime, traders importing non-qualifying goods from Ireland to Great Britain, will need to continue:

• pre-notifying via the IPAFFS (import of products, animals, food and feed system) for all live animals, germinal products, animal products, HRFNAO (high risk food and feed not of animal origin) and medium risk A and high-risk plant and plant products.
• get an EHC (Export Health Certificate) for live animal and germinal, medium risk animal products, and HRFNAO (high-risk food and feed not of animal origin).
• get a PC (Phytosanitary Certificate) for medium and high-risk plants and plant products.
  
  

After reviewing its position, the government is now confirming that BTOM live animal import controls at the border will not start during 2024.

Border checks are not now expected to be implemented before summer 2025. This means inspections on live animal imports will continue at Place of Destination.

The government has delayed the introduction of S&S (Safety and Security) declarations for EU imports which will not now be introduced until 31 January 2025. This does not affect declarations necessary for Rest of World Goods.

This will apply to all goods imported from the EU to GB. It’s the responsibility of carriers or hauliers to submit S&S declarations. However, the importer can lodge the declaration on the carrier’s behalf, but the responsibility still lies with the carrier. To submit Safety and Security declarations, traders will need access to a particular IT platform, either by purchasing specialist software or using customs agents/intermediaries.

For more information on the new requirements, please visit the dedicated page at: GOV.UK |  Preparing for the new safety and security declaration requirements.

The government has announced that the introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU entering via West Coast GB ports will not begin yet.

Identity and physical checks on goods requiring inspection from the island of Ireland are now not expected to begin before Spring 2025.

The government is expected to announce the final date for these checks to begin once it has been agreed by the Welsh, Scottish and UK Governments.

On 13 September the government announced that the current easement for checks and the associated fees on medium-risk fruit and vegetable imports from the EU and Switzerland, which was due to end on 31 January 2025, will now be extended to 1 July 2025.

Responding to the news, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair Martin Emmett said: “The continued delays to import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables creates an unbalanced trading environment for British farmers growers who have been facing full checks when exporting produce into the EU since the end of the transition period.

“Meanwhile, growers importing high-risk plants for planting and seeds from the EU continue to face regulatory burdens that is jeopardising biosecurity and causing delays and extra costs, that has a significant potential to damage UK food security.

“If the government is serious about growing our domestic horticultural sector, we must find a new SPS agreement with the EU that supports and recognises our high levels of biosecurity build upon our close historical regulatory regime with the EU.”

After writing to Defra following increasing concerns over the UK’s new approach to import controls, the NFU secured a meeting with Baroness Hayman to discuss and debate swift solutions to members’ biosecurity concerns. 

Tom raised the concerns horticulture members had about the risks checks at Sevington pose to their business, both in terms of infection and delay, and how inspections at their businesses would mitigate against these risks.

Baroness Hayman said she would look to meet with horticulture members and listen to their concerns.

Find out what else was discussed during the meeting.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw has written to Baroness Hayman, Lords Minister in the Defra team, following increasing concerns over the UK’s new approach to import controls and how this is affecting farming and grower businesses. 

In the letter, Tom reiterated the NFU’s support of the government’s approach for a “modern, streamlined, effective, global, risk-based model that can rapidly respond to changing risk profiles”, but warns that “reports suggest the reality on the ground is far from this”.

There has been widespread industry concern around how these border controls have been implemented and the need for these controls to recognise the different needs and nuances for individual farming and growing sectors.

Horticulture businesses are grappling with the latest phase of controls introduced in April, “acutely that the shift of controls away from their businesses to BCPs (Border Control Points) adds an additional level of risk and cost to a highly bio-secure, ‘just-in-time’ supply chain,” Tom explained.

Read: Is becoming a Control Point right for my business?

From 30 April, physical and identity checks will apply to medium and high-risk animal products, plants and plant products entering the UK from the EU.

From 31 January 2024 onwards, the government will begin to apply controls on animal products and both plants and plant products imported to Great Britain from the EU, depending on their risk level.

More information on these changes can be found on GOV.UK | Border Target Operating Model: information leaflets for businesses.

Identity and physical checks at ports will not begin yet. These will start on 30 April for most imports, but later on goods transported from Ireland.

Find out what this means for your business.

Identity and physical checks on goods requiring inspection from the island of Ireland are now not expected to begin before Spring 2025.

The government's website will be updated with the final date for these checks to begin once it has been agreed by the Welsh, Scottish and UK Governments.