Great Britain has once again, for the fifth time, pushed back the date on which border controls on EU food imports will be introduced. Instead of in October, the introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU will start on 31 January 2024.
In addition, the documentation and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU will be moved from January to April 2024.
The industry is trying to convince the British government to rethink the plans for the requirements that are part of the Northern Ireland post-Brexit agreement. From October, British businesses exporting to Northern Ireland are required to label their products ‘Not for EU’. This should avoid them becoming part of EU checks. At the same time, for manufacturers abroad, the rule would mean they would need to separate their products into two streams, one with packaging for the UK and one with packaging for the EU.