Britain will never introduce post-Brexit physical checks on fresh food and plants imported from the EU, according to radically new plans drawn up by Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The Minister of Brexit Opportunities plans to digitize all checks and documents at the border forever amid the deteriorating cost of living crisis.
Mr Rees-Mogg has postponed the next wave of import inspections for the fourth time, risking a dispute with ports that have spent millions on building new goods inspection facilities.
A Whitehall source said Mr Rees-Mogh wanted to make “the suspension of physical checks permanent” after postponing further checks until the end of 2023. They added that the UK would move away from costly physical checks. towards the development of our digital frontier policy, which will be much better for supply chains and consumers. “
In a letter to lawmakers this morning, Mr Rees-Mogg said the new “administrative burdens” risk causing further chaos in the supply chain when customers are already paying higher prices for goods.
The letter said the UK would “not introduce” border controls, which were due to take effect in early July.
Mr Rees-Mogg said a strategy would be published in the autumn to outline an “improved” regime for import controls at the border.
Mr Rees-Mogg wrote in the letter: “As a nation, we are currently facing a number of new challenges, including continuing supply chain problems – in part as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and greater pressure on the cost of living.
“New administrative burdens and the risk of disruption of ports and supply chains would complicate this situation for business and the public.
He said that after discussing with business, the government had come to the conclusion that “now will not be the right time to make further changes to border import control checks”.
In a statement to the Municipality, Mr. Rees-Mogs said: “This year there will be no additional controls on imports of goods from the EU. Businesses can stop preparing for July now. “
New controls on the UK’s exports to the EU under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement were carried out immediately after the entry into force of the deal in early 2021, but the application of reciprocal import controls has been repeatedly postponed.
Reports from last month say the government is investigating further delays.
“This new regime will apply equally to goods from the EU and the rest of the world,” he said, adding that these new plans will take effect from the end of 2023.
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