The government has suspended the introduction of further border checks on live animal imports from the EU, and on specific animal and plant goods from Ireland, ahead of its new deal with the EU.
The deal will establish a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary zone, which the government said would reduce delays at the border and make food trade with the UK’s biggest market cheaper and easier.
Under the SPS agreement, border checks on live animal imports from the EU and on certain plant and animal goods arriving from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (‘non-qualifying goods’) will not be required, as their implementation is deemed to be disproportionate.
Ahead of it coming into place, the government has scrapped plans to introduce further controls, although it stressed that Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) controls already in place will continue until further notice and that traders must continue to comply with it while the details of the agreement are negotiated
Defra said protecting UK biosecurity remains a key government priority, and that risk-based surveillance will continue to manage the biosecurity threats of these products
Some live animals imported from the EU will continue to be inspected at their place of destination based on a series of risk factors. Non-qualifying goods arriving from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can continue to enter the UK without physical inspection, and will continue to require pre-notification and certification in some instance.
Biosecurity minister Baroness Hayman said: “Our deal with the EU will boost British businesses as we cut cumbersome bureaucracy and make trading food with our biggest market both cheaper and easier.
“Protecting the UK’s biosecurity is essential, and our partnership with the EU will ensure this while delivering for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”
The suspension will be reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure the biosecurity of the UK is effectively maintained. Defra said it will continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Control Post operators, and Port Health Authorities to maintain UK biosecurity while minimising disruption to the flow of goods.
This suspension follows the announcement in June that border checks on EU fruit and veg imports have been scrapped to ease trade ahead of the SPS deal.