'Upcoming Brexit checks will add to food inflation, cause more shortage'

New Brexit red tape on EU imports could play havoc in the coming months by pushing up food prices and causing more shortages, stated a recent report citing industry leaders.

Food sector leaders are worried that port authorities are unprepared for the implementation of a series of checks, including health certifications on some animal, plant and food products from the EU, that are set to be phased in from October 2023, The Independent stated in a report on Tuesday (9).

Also, new fees on goods coming into Britain from the EU will also add “hundreds of pounds” to the cost of importing each lorry-load of produce, business leaders told The Independent – a burden that could see some small firms “struggle to survive”.

Andrew Opie, the BRC’s director of food and sustainability, said that the extra checks could hit supply by delaying deliveries, and could also push up food prices as businesses pass on the additional costs to shoppers.

He said extra costs “are always an issue when we are tackling inflation,” but warned that “the main impact [of checks] could be on availability [of goods] if there is disruption at the ports”.

“In the autumn we increase imports of fresh produce from Europe that has a short shelf life, so it is imperative the system works well from day one to avoid impact on customers.”

“Unfortunately, there is a cost – that was an inevitable consequence of Brexit,” said Opie.

“The key focus, however, must be getting European supply chains and UK government checks ready for October, to avoid disruption at our ports.”

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said that the extra burden of new paperwork and fees will see some small, specialist importers “struggle to survive”.

“What we’ll see is a decline in choice, because some of the smaller firms importing specialist products – bacon, ham, cheeses – that part of the business will fall by the wayside. Some will have to change their business model to survive,” Allen told The Independent.

Allen added that suppliers will have to pass on some of those extra costs which will add to food inflation.

"At a time when it’s real struggle for families, it won’t make things any easier,” he said. “The general feeling in the food sector is the ports are not ready. They’ve got quite a bit of work to do. So it could add to delays. We’re going in at the deep end in October.”

Food sector chiefs have been told that inspection fees at ports will be between £23 and £43 for each batch of goods.

Meanwhile, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said that moves to try to minimise disruption from checks “will transform the UK’s border controls”.

“It will create a new world-class system to provide protection from security and biosecurity threats, while preventing delays at the border through a reduction in the need for physical checks, and by ensuring that checks take place away from ports where this is needed, to allow traffic to flow freely," the report quoted the spokesperson as saying.