British shoppers could see higher food prices if upcoming Brexit border checks are not delayed, a leading fresh produce body has warned, calling on Labour government to revise or delay planned border inspections.
Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) Nigel Jenney stated that British shoppers are facing higher food prices unless the Government fixes another “Brexit headache” by delaying looming border checks on food imported from the EU.
Failing to delay the checks will add £200 million to the fruit and veg industry’s annual costs which firms will have to pass on to the consumer, Jenney warned.
Jenney expressed his concerns in an interview on BBC Radio 4 today (23), emphasising that the industry remains “in the dark” about the specifics of the border checks. If the regulations go into full effect next year, it could mean over 2,000 vehicles per week, bringing fresh produce into the UK, are subject to strict controls.
“We are simply waiting for confirmation of when these checks will begin to occur and which products will be within the controls. We simply don’t have it at this time, after years of waiting.
“The FPC is concerned that preparing for these checks could lead to significant costs for both the industry and consumers, especially if the checks turn out to be unnecessary. The current border strategy also undermines UK horticultural production of many of our favourite homegrown fruit and veg.
“It’s essential we import both seed and young plants to support UK production of many crops, including tomatoes and many more. The delays and risks imposed by the previous government’s border strategy are immense.”
Jenney pointed out that the industry has invested heavily in proactive measures to ensure the biosecurity of imports, but these efforts are being undermined by the government’s indecision.
He concluded, “We have cost-effective solutions to ensure UK consumers can continue to enjoy great fresh produce at affordable prices, but we are being undermined by our own government.”
Border checks on several types of EU food imports including meat, fish and dairy, were introduced this year after years of delay from the Conservatives. Fruit and vegetables were exempt from much of the post-Brexit red tape until October this year, with the Government later confirming it intended to push this further back to January 2025.
Now pressure is growing on ministers to delay the checks again.
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