Brexit Red Tape Wastes Millions on Post-Brexit Import Checks

Strategic Insights -

British food and flower producers have squandered millions of pounds on preparations for post-Brexit import checks that may never be implemented, industry leaders assert. The sector had been working towards a July 2025 deadline for the introduction of full sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on agri-food imports from the European Union. However, a sudden shift in government policy, tied to the UK-EU "reset" and new trade talks, has delayed the vast majority of those checks. This has left companies in limbo and undermined business confidence, as they struggle to prepare for a process that may no longer be necessary.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British food and flower industry has invested millions of pounds in preparing for post-Brexit import checks that may never be introduced.
  • The government had told businesses that authorised operator status, a scheme allowing companies to conduct their own checks, was imminent, but those efforts may now be futile.
  • Companies have spent significant amounts of money training staff in the new process, and investments in infrastructure, such as a PS7 million customs facility, could be written off.
  • The sector's preparation efforts have been undermined by the government's failure to clearly communicate or implement the changes.
  • Logistics firms are left guessing whether rules will change, be delayed, or cancelled outright.
  • The fresh produce sector is among the hardest hit, with a 16% drop in British goods exports to the EU since Brexit, citing customs hurdles, regulatory divergence, and delays at borders.

Statistics:

  • PS7 million: The amount invested by PML Seafrigo in building a customs facility specifically designed to process post-Brexit import checks.
  • 16%: The drop in British goods exports to the EU since Brexit, citing customs hurdles, regulatory divergence, and delays at borders (Source: Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy).
  • PS7 million: The figure spent by PML Seafrigo training staff in the new process, which may now be of no use.

Sources:

  • The Fresh Produce Consortium
  • The Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy report
  • British food and flower producers, including Nigel Jenney (chief executive of the consortium) and Mike Parr (chief executive of PML Seafrigo)