Despite the information spread on social media around April, 19th that safety checks for EU imports will be postponed, DEFRA confirmed, that all the announced changes will commence from April 30th as planned.
What's new?
The introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU.
Defra has undertaken the risk modelling necessary to categorise commodities. The categorisation is based on the inherent risk (high, medium or low) that the commodity poses to animal and plant health, and food safety, alongside any specific risk from the country and region of origin. Documentary Checks will be introduced on:
Medium-risk
- animal products
- plants and plant products
and
High-risk
- food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU
Key actions to take into consideration for business
Businesses have to identify their goods in terms of risk categorisations which have been published on GOV.UK for animal products and on the Plant Health Portal for plants and plant products. A composite product decision tree is also available on GOV.UK.
EU product of animal origin (POAO) risk categories
Rest of world (ROW) POAO risk categories
What's new?
Existing inspections of high-risk plants and plant products from the EU will move from destination to Border Control Posts (BCP)
Checks will not be carried out Place of Destination (PoDs) but at BCPs.
Key actions to take into consideration for business
Goods must enter through a point of entry that has the relevant BCP.
Use the attached link to identify location categories of animals and goods and specifications to identify:
Identify location categories of animals and goods
What's new?
Beginning to simplify imports from non-EU countries - this will include the removal of health certification and routine checks on low risk animal products, plants, plant products from non-EU countries as well as reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk animal products from non-EU countries
Key actions to take into consideration for business
Medium Risk goods
Medium risk animal products will be subject to reduced levels of intervention at the border with identity and physical check levels being lower than now for imports from non-EU countries
Low Risk goods
if importing low risk goods from the EU, Switzerland or Liechtenstein to GB customers will be continued to be exempt from plant health controls on these goods.
What's new?
The common user charge will be introduced on 30 April 2024 for commercial movements of animal products, plants and plant products through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. The charge applies to:
- imports entering Great Britain
- transits entering and leaving Great Britain
Key actions to take into consideration for business
On calculation and billing please read: