Before being allowed into the UK, imports of five typical types of cut flowers, cheese and dairy products, and chilled and frozen meat and fish must have an export health certificate approved by a European veterinarian or plant inspector.
The additional Brexit red tape means that before being allowed into the UK, imports of five typical types of cut flowers, as well as chilled and frozen meat and fish, cheese, and dairy products, must have an export health certificate approved by a European veterinarian or plant inspector.
From 30 April the same categories of goods will face physical inspections at the border, raising the prospect of delays and shortages in fast turnaround supply chains.
The new regulations, which have previously been postponed five times due to worries about disruption and rising consumer costs, are set to take effect four years after comparable checks were placed on UK exporters to Europe.
An annual cost increase of £330m
According to the government, the inspections are necessary to safeguard UK biosecurity, stop the importation of pests and illnesses, and provide fairness to UK exporters.
However, according to its own predictions, over the next three years, food inflation—a major contributor to the issue in the cost of living—will rise by 0.2% and the cost of dealing with Europe will rise by £330 million annually.
