Some of Britain’s largest seaports are considering a lawsuit against the government to reimburse the cost of building border checkpoints, which they fear will never be used, after confirming that post-Brexit import controls will be postponed. fourth time.
Physical inspections of fresh food and plants from the EU were supposed to begin in July, but were postponed until the end of 2023, Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg confirmed in a written statement issued Thursday. Instead, he announced plans to digitize all border checks and documents with a new strategy published in the autumn.
The decision not to apply controls means that the UK will continue to rely effectively on the EU to monitor food and plant safety. Food producers said they were at a disadvantage compared to European competitors, who would have less bureaucracy to deal with.
The British Ports Association (BPA), an industry lobbyist, said it was concerned that expensive border posts, subsidized by nearly 200 million pounds from taxpayers, could never be used. The group said its members would seek permission to bulldoze the new buildings if the government confirmed that it was.
Richard Ballantyne, BPA’s chief executive, said ports were quick to prepare infrastructure in time: “This announcement is a major policy change, which means the facilities will effectively turn into white elephants, losing millions of pounds in public and private funding.” .
Ports had already begun hiring staff in preparation for additional post-Brexit inspections. Meanwhile, the government is spending public money on building internal border facilities in places where there is not enough space for infrastructure near the quay.
While the EU introduced inspections of goods arriving from the UK immediately after Brexit, ministers are now moving towards the end of 2023 for a new border control regime, three years after the end of the Brexit transition period. Checks on meat were to begin on 1 July and on dairy products on 1 September, and all other goods, including fish and compound foods, were to be inspected on 1 November. A date for control of live animals has not yet been agreed.
During a tour of the Eurotunnel’s Folkestone facility on Thursday, Reese-Mogg acknowledged that the money had been spent on facilities that may not be needed now.
“I accept that some money has been spent on preparations for July 1, which will not be needed now, but the ports will benefit, as Eurotunnel says, from easing the flow,” he told the Guardian.
Reese-Mogg said the move could save British businesses “up to £ 1 billion a year”, although all documents and checks after Brexit that have already been introduced will remain in force. He said it would be wrong to impose new inspections now, during the cost of living crisis, as this could further increase food prices.
The Eurotunnel operator, which handles a quarter of all trade between the UK and the EU, welcomed the announcement.
“We had to check more certificates, more declarations, and we wouldn’t be able to get on trucks that didn’t have the right shipping documentation,” said John Keefe, director of public affairs at Getlink.
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However, the National Farmers’ Union called the move “unacceptable” and said it was another blow to British food producers as they struggle with rising costs.
“It’s a matter of justice,” NFU President Minette Batters said, calling import controls crucial to “the nation’s biosecurity, animal health and food safety.”
“Our producers must comply with strict controls in order to export their own products abroad, while remaining at a disadvantage compared to our EU competitors, who still enjoy an extended grace period that gives them access to the valued market of The United Kingdom at a relative price and weight for free, “she said.” Without them, we are really at risk. “
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