Rees-Mogg Scraps Brexit Checks On EU Food Imports

Boris Johnson's government has scrapped the introduction of planned post-Brexit inspections on food coming into the UK from the EU, cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced.

- Adam Forrest

In a written statement to the Commons, the Brexit opportunities minister said the controls set to come into force on 1 July would not be enforced during 2022. "No further import controls on EU goods will be introduced this year - businesses can stop their preparations for July now," Mr Rees-Mogg said.

Mr Rees-Mogg suggested the government planned a complete overhaul of its border check plans, revealing that the end of 2023 was the target for a brand new "controls regime". The Independent revealed last month that the government was set to push back the import controls because of growing fears they will exacerbate the cost of living crisis.

Mr Rees-Mogg pointed to living cost pressures as a major reason for the move, but blamed rising costs on "Russia's war in Ukraine and in energy prices". However, he later told ITV that the controls on EU imports "would have been an act of self-harm" - admitting that post-Brexit checks would have seen prices rise at the supermarket.

"[With] some costs it would be quite significant - if you look at small deliveries on things like cheese, you were talking about 71 per cent increase, maximum level, on the retail price," he said. "Free trade is hugely advantageous to consumers."