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The UK government has been forced to delay the introduction of import controls for six months, in a U-turn in post-Brexit policy, because a network of 30 border posts being built to process incoming goods would not have been ready on time.
Exports to the EU from Britain have been subject to controls since January 1, but the government decided to take a gradual approach on EU imports to give shippers and companies more time to adjust.
The checks were to be introduced in stages from April 1 to July 1, but in recent days merchants and ports have said they are not ready and that introducing processes as originally planned could lead to supermarket shelves are empty.
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, told the House of Commons on Thursday that the government had responded to requests from longer-term companies and announced what he called a “revised schedule.”
Gove blamed the need for delays on the pandemic, telling MPs that the previous schedule was “based on the impacts of the first wave of Covid,” but that the government had revised the timelines because the disruption had been broader and durable than expected.
Most import controls have been delayed until January 1, 2022, which means that Britain will start these processes a year after the EU.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, a lobby group, said the postponement had come “just in time.” He said that it “would ultimately reduce the impact on consumers by 1 April who otherwise would have seen empty shelves for some products. “
Opie added: “Until the infrastructure is in place, with IT systems in place and processes in place for checks and paperwork, it would be unwise to introduce full requirements for documentation of export health certificate, prior notification of imports. , physical controls and more. “
British customs were to start controlling imports of animal products, live animals and plants and products from April 1, including foods considered high risk such as minced meat and sausages. The controls, known as sanitary and phytosanitary controls (SPS), require shipments to have correct documentation and import and health certificates signed by veterinarians upon arrival in Britain.
These sanitary and phytosanitary controls, along with customs inspections, were expected to take place from July 1 at the new designated border control posts (BCP) of goods entering by sea, road or air.
However, in recent weeks a number of British ports had said facilities would not be ready in time for the July deadline, partly as a result of complications with government funding for new infrastructure. This week, the British Association of Ports, an industry body, wrote to the government urging it to extend the deadline.
In addition, several of the inland facilities the government is building in places where there is not enough space available for a border checkpoint directly next to the port are being delayed.
The White Cliffs inland site in Kent, where goods arriving in Dover will be monitored, is described as a “muddy field”. In addition, the location of the two Inland Welsh sites that are being developed by the governments of Wales and the United Kingdom has yet to be announced.
The physical sanitary and phytosanitary controls of animal products, as well as food and plants considered high risk, will not be carried out until January 1. As of this date, these controls will be carried out at the designated border control posts and not at their destination, as is currently the case.
Live animal and low-risk plant controls will only be carried out from March 2022 at BCPs.
Additionally, traders will be able to continue filing deferred customs declarations, whereby paperwork can be filed for up to six months after the goods have been imported, until early 2022.
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There have also been serious initial problems in the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol and the new trade rules with the EU.
The EU is preparing to take legal action just days after the government announced last week that it was unilaterally extending a series of “grace periods” to allow Northern Ireland companies more time to adjust to the rules. post-Brexit.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, EU Ambassador to the UK João Vale de Almeida said both sides should “stop trying to score points” and work to rebuild trust.
It is understood that Vale de Almeida has yet to meet David Frost, the cabinet minister in charge of the UK’s relations with the EU and a former trade negotiator. EU sources are understood to be alarmed by rumors circulating that the UK government has reason to render the Northern Ireland protocol inoperative to force a renegotiation, a situation that Brussels would address in the strongest possible terms. .
