The UK government has announced its decision to delay deadlines for changing border controls in relation to the import of products from the EU into the UK.
In an announcement today (Thursday, March 11), the UK government said that it has reviewed timeframes originally set out for its changed trading relationship with the EU.
Changes
Of note, it said that pre-notification requirements for products of animal origin, certain animal by-products and “High Risk Food Not Of Animal Origin” will not be required until October 1, 2021.
Export Health Certificate requirements for products of animal origin and certain animal by-products will come into force on the same date, it was added.
Customs import declarations will still be required, but the option to use the deferred declaration scheme, including submitting supplementary declarations up to six months after the goods have been imported, has been extended to January 1, 2022, the government added.
Safety and Security Declarations for imports will not be required until January 1, 2022.
Meanwhile physical SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) checks for products of animal origin, certain animal by-products and High Risk Food Not Of Animal Origin will not be required until January 1, 2022. At that point they will take place at border control posts, it was added.
DII reaction
Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) said it will be engaging with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as Ibec to seek clarification on some items.
However, it said:
These are very welcome moves as it was clear that if the April 1 deadline was applied, systems in the UK, Ireland and the EU would have struggled to be fully ready.
The move will also prove a welcome development for other Irish agricultural stakeholders with the UK remaining a key destination for Irish agri-food exports in 2020 and this year.
