The UK government has delayed the introduction of border checks on produce brought into the country from the European Union (EU) for a third time. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said yesterday that it had extended the easement of import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imported from the EU from January 2025 to July 1 2025.
Defra said the easement is a temporary measure to ensure that new ministers have a full and thorough opportunity to review the planned implementation of further border controls, and an opportunity to listen to businesses across import supply chains.
The checks are being introduced as part of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Three main risk categories were drawn up for imports of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products into Great Britain: high risk, medium risk, and low risk.
The first phase of this regulation came into force at the end of January this year, which required health certificates on EU goods ranging from cut flowers to fresh produce including meat, fruit, and vegetables.
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