Logistics UK has hailed the scrapping of Brexit rules affecting UK food exports to the EU next year as “commonsense”, writes Peter Brown.
The changes mean exporters of fresh, frozen or processed meat will no longer require costly veterinary certificates to prove they meet EU standards. In addition, there will no longer be documentation requirements for plants or wood packaging material.
Chief executive of Logistics UK, Ben Fletcher, said the move has the potential to boost the UK economy by £5.1bn per annum.
“Our members have invested significant amounts of time and money to smooth the movement of fresh food across the UK’s borders, but trade friction has persisted as a result of the checks introduced after our country’s departure from the EU, and so we welcome the negotiation of this agreement by His Majesty’s Government,” he said.
“Any border delays hinder our industry’s ability to keep the UK’s businesses trading with European customers and so today’s announcement is a commonsense solution that acknowledges the challenges we have faced since Brexit.
“Sanitary and phytosanitary checks were introduced as a result of the UK’s deal with the EU to prove exported goods meet EU standards, and were later introduced by the UK on imports from the EU. Under the deal being negotiated, products moved from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would also no longer require additional certification, specialist labelling or routine inspections.
“Our industry’s aim is always to deliver for our customers as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Today’s announcement will increase confidence over the removal of significant hurdles involving cost and delays that have hampered our industry’s ability to support the UK’s fresh food producers in selling to their European customers, supporting UK jobs and helping to drive growth nationwide.
“We will now work with the government to ensure that the new regime can be implemented as seamlessly as possible by mid-2027.”
