Border checks Physical inspections begin on animal and plant imports

After more than three years of delays, today finally sees the introduction of physical checks on animal and plant imports coming into Britain from the EU.

- Jack Simpson

Importers and trade associations have warned the new bureaucracy could heap significant costs on to importers, resulting in increases to prices on shop shelves.

But what exactly are the checks, and what impact will they have on businesses and consumers? Here is a rundown of what to expect.

What are the new checks? 

The regime will mirror checks brought in by the EU when the UK left the single market in January 2021. They make up the second stage of the government's border target operating model plan.

The first phase, which was introduced on 31 January this year, meant the majority of meat, dairy and plant products needed a health certificate before they could enter Britain.

The second phase will be the most significant, with lorries from the continent being held up for the first time at border control posts at ports around the country so they can be inspected.

The government has divided all plant and products of animal origin into three risk groups.

The low-risk products, which are largely processed food goods, will receive no checks and require no health certificates. The mediumrisk categories, which include eggs, dairy, meat and cut flowers, and high-risk goods - plants for planting and live animals - will need certificates and be subject to checks.

Will these result in queues at the border?