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1. https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2AFBVV95cUxQbGJLbTJnVzZKX3R5QzVTV1NHVndQbDN5STRTZ0xQX05fSmw2SnAxTkNwanhIR0tXSWxBQ082UHY1cElCVXEzMEllbzlnN2o1SmNHeHVkMmUyWW54UEY4UGVvYklUODF4dy1VSGVkOUlXTU5OYWlETUxHRE56d1plS00yQnRHdzJPNktnckd0UmdsV2V6c0d1ZGtFX2lWSVZrMkdPeWRKZE5kVDVaVldqUENSZ0N1R2tIbEZRYllldHJFX2hjc1laRk0xMGVsYUZIYjQxdGZhbFY?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/britain-starts-physical-checks-fresh-food-imports-eu-2024-04-30/ - On April 30, 2024, Britain initiated physical checks on fresh food imports from the EU, marking a significant step in its post-Brexit border control measures. While major supermarkets and larger exporting businesses prepared for the new demands, smaller retailers and wholesalers warned of potential delays, disruption, and higher prices. The second phase of Britain’s Border Target Operating Model involves physical checks on 'medium risk' animal and plant products, introducing new charges and inspections to prevent diseases and pests, leveling the playing field for UK exporters. Despite previous delays, the UK government insists on the necessity of these checks for biosecurity, although they face criticism from industry leaders regarding operational inefficiencies and increased costs. The government estimates these checks could collectively cost importers £330 million annually and minimally affect food inflation.
3. https://www.ft.com/content/38498a3b-ef3c-451e-80fc-84d2bb4b7302 - Trade groups have criticized the UK government's decision to impose a 'common user charge' of up to £145 on consignments of EU plant and animal products imported into Britain, starting from April 30. Businesses, concerned that these charges would elevate food prices and deter EU exporters, stated that the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ignored industry input. The British Chambers of Commerce expressed worries that the charges would heavily impact smaller importers. The fees will be £29 per high- and medium-risk product line, capped at £145 per consignment. Despite port industry's relative acceptance of the charge, other trade bodies highlighted potential negative effects on food prices, consumer choice, and inflated costs for small businesses. The UK government maintained that the charges were necessary to cover border operation costs and ensure biosecurity.
4. https://hortnews.com/new-border-control-plan-streamlines-plant-health-checks/ - Importers and exporters of plants and fresh produce are being asked for their views on the government’s new draft regime for importing goods into the UK. The Border Target Operating Model (TOM) was published in April after the government decided a year ago not to introduce the final set of controls on EU imports that had been planned. It continues the phasing-in of biosecurity controls on the import of plants and plant products while reducing the number of identity and physical checks some need. It proposes a new approach to security controls applying to all imports and the phytosanitary controls applying to imports of plants and plant products, which will be facilitated by a single digital gateway for both importers and exporters, the UK Single Trade Window. Regulated plants and plant products will now be categorised as high, medium or low risk. High risk includes all plants for planting and potatoes; medium risk covers plant products with an identified pest or disease risk; low risk includes fresh produce which carries no identified pest or disease risk to Britain. Controls will then be applied depending on risk category. “There will be plants and plant products which undergo fewer inspections or are not regulated at all,” says Defra. Certain goods will remain prohibited entirely. The first deadline for the implementation of TOM is October 31 this year, when all imports of medium risk plants and plant products will need a phytosanitary certificate on entry. From January next year, low risk goods will be exempt from systematic controls at the border and so will not require a phytosanitary certificate or pre-notification. This includes most fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. Instead, they will be subject to enhanced monitoring via surveillance and evidence-led visits to premises by plant health inspectors. By the same date medium risk plants and plant products from the EU will need documentary, physical and identity checks at the border while high risk plants and plant products must come through a border control post or control point where identity and physical checks will be carried out.
5. https://freshproduce.org.uk/advice/medium-risk-fruit-vegetables-eu-and-row-finalised - After a scientific review of commodities across all plant and plant product risk categories, the UK government is pleased to announce that there has been an increase in plants and plant products that have become deregulated, therefore able to move into GB without being subject to any plant health controls. Commodities in the low-risk category for non-EU countries will no longer need a PC. This now harmonies the EU and non-EU controls. All low-risk goods are now considered deregulated. The deregulation of these products has a predicted reduction of around 800,000 PCs, estimating a £105m saving to industry. This figure is based on the average UK cost of a PC. Medium-risk plants and plant products: new sub-categories Initially, plants and plant products were categorised into ‘high, medium and low’ risk and controls have been appropriately weighted against the risk. After further review, there will be a change to how the medium-risk category will look for plants and plant products. The medium-risk category will be split into two parts, A and B. Therefore, the new risk-categories will be: High, Medium A, Medium B and Low-risk. High risk goods require a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) and pre-notification before entering GB. Since 30 April 2024, in line with the phased import regime, these goods are subject to risk-based, physical and identity checks at a Border Control Post (BCP) or designated Control Point (CP). Medium-risk A goods require a PC and pre-notification before entering GB. From 30 April 2024, in line with the phased import regime, these goods are subject to risk-based, physical and identity checks at a BCP or designated CP. Medium-risk B goods only require a PC when entering GB. Low risk goods do not require a PC or pre-notification. Further to the risk category changes, three commodities, parts of plants (other than fruits and seeds) of Ipomoea and Solanaceae and leaves of Spinacia oleracea (spinach leaves) have moved from the low-risk category to medium-risk for imports from EU and non-EU countries.
6. https://www.ft.com/content/154a187a-4b35-483d-900e-5bc85894df4a - UK importers are warning that the country isn't prepared for new post-Brexit border controls set to begin on April 30, 2024. The £22mn border facility at Harwich is operational, but critical operational details are still missing, causing significant concern within the food and plant industries. The Horticultural Trades Association and Cold Chain Federation have voiced concerns about the lack of clarity on inspection processes, waiting times, and overall readiness of border control posts. They argue that these unresolved issues will lead to increased food prices, wastage, and logistical challenges. Industry representatives are calling for mitigation measures, such as extending current inspection systems and delaying physical inspections to allow more time for preparation. The new checks aim to improve the UK's biosecurity and level the playing field for UK and EU businesses, but there are fears of substantial disruption to trade flows.