London - The UK government, under Rishi Sunak's administration, has confirmed the fifth delay in the implementation of post-Brexit border checks for food, animal, and plant products imported from the EU. The originally planned phase-in of additional regulations, set to begin in October, has now been rescheduled to commence in 2024. The decision to postpone these checks is driven by concerns about potential inflationary pressures resulting from increased costs.

Criticism has been directed at the government for its handling of the situation, with accusations of a lack of organization in the rollout. Despite reports in early August about the decision to delay the new "border operating model," the government officially ended uncertainty for businesses by announcing a three-month extension for the health certificates required for imports, now to be implemented from January 31. Subsequently, there will be an additional three-month period before sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on medium-risk food, animal, and plant products take effect on April 30.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Cabinet Office Minister, has indicated that the new system will lead to more efficient trading for businesses and bring significant benefits to the UK economy and trade.

While business groups have largely welcomed the delay as a means to prevent potential disruption at the border and within supermarkets, they have urged the government to assist firms and port officials in preparing for the upcoming changes. The British Chambers of Commerce's William Bain emphasized the need for confidence in the timely implementation of physical and digital infrastructure around the GB border.

The delay has also been seen as a positive step by fruit and vegetable importers and the British Retail Consortium, but concerns remain about the need for clarity and consistency in enforcement, especially for EU exporters.

Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds criticized the delay, portraying it as a testament to the chaotic situation the Conservative government has created, emphasizing the need for better planning.

Before Brexit, the UK's membership in the EU single market and customs union allowed for the import of food from Europe without significant paperwork. The government asserts that its risk-based approach to implementing import checks will have a negligible impact on food inflation, estimating less than 0.2% impact on headline inflation over three years.

The postponed import checks will lead to a new charge of up to £43 per consignment, accompanied by separate fees for customs agents and SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) inspections. Further changes are expected in October 2024, when new safety and security declarations for EU imports are set to be introduced.