NPA response to government decision to scrap extra import checks

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.

NPA chief policy adviser Katie Jarvis explained that the previous government had planned to introduce mandatory border checks at new border control posts, including at Sevington, in Kent, on all live animals, including livestock, horses and pets.

This was going to be the next step in rolling out the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), after the introduction of BCP checks on plants and products of animal origin (POAO) since April this year.

Even though the date for the start of the EU-UK deal has not been finalised, the government has scrapped these plans ahead of it coming into place.

It stressed, however, that the 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.

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.

The announcement does not affect UK exports of live animals or POAO.

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.

NPA reaction

NPA public affairs manager Tom Haynes said: “While we would always welcome steps to ease the trade burdens, we continue to stress that this must not be done in a way that potentially leaves UK livestock more exposed to imported disease by reducing inspections where they are needed.

“While pigs imported for commercial breeding purposes are already tested for diseases at dedicated quarantine facilities, the same cannot be said for pet or hobby pigs and they do pose a risk to national biosecurity.

“More broadly, we also question how much resource has now been wasted in preparing for new controls that will never happen, all at a time when Border Force and Port Health Authorities are in desperate need of resource to support physical inspections which routinely identify and confiscate large quantities of illegal meat entering the country.”