Post-Brexit border checks ‘will drive up food prices’

A new post-Brexit system of border checks for goods coming into the UK from the EU will trigger further food price rises, industry leaders have warned.

The UK government has announced plans to implement full border controls and customs checks for EU food imports from 31 October this year.

A new “target operating model” is being developed to manage UK imports of animals, animal-derived products, plants and plant-based products, and some foods and feeds.

See also: Dorset cattle breeder hit by loss of exports post-Brexit

The UK government, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh governments, released draft proposals for the new border controls on 5 April.

Plans to implement post-Brexit border controls have already been delayed on four previous occasions.

Government officials are undertaking a six-week engagement period with industry to discuss the proposals, with the final target operating model to be published later this year.

According to the Politico Pro website, officials have told industry leaders the new post-Brexit checks on goods coming from the EU will cost firms £400m a year in extra costs.

One unnamed industry leader is quoted saying the proposals will “substantially increase food costs”.

The government says a “trusted trader scheme” will be introduced later as part of the strategy, which will allow traders to carry out checks away from border points and reduce time at ports through digitised paperwork.

By contrast, Downing Street says the new digitised scheme will “significantly” cut bureaucracy and save businesses £400m a year.

A government spokesman said: “The target operating model implements important border controls which will help protect consumers and our environment and assure our trade partners about the quality of our exports.

“It implements these important controls in a way which minimises costs for businesses and prevents delays at the border.”