British food industry leaders have raised the alarm over possible import delays or food shortages because European suppliers are not ready for new, post-Brexit UK border controls imposed last weekend, reports The Mail on Sunday.
Senior industry figures raised concern over the preparedness of EU businesses – particularly smaller suppliers – after stringent import checks came into force on 1 January as a result of Britain leaving the European Union a year ago.
The Food and Drink Federation, which represents more than 1,000 UK businesses, warned that a lack of awareness, incorrect paperwork and time-consuming extra checks at borders could have a significant impact on imports. They told the paper they had sent special guidance to members on the new import rules.
More than £230 billion of products – including more than a quarter of Britain’s food supplies – are imported from the EU each year. But the extra red tape means EU shipments to the UK need to have full customs declarations and proof that goods should be tariff-free, the report said.
The federation warned that the trade barriers risk “blocking deliveries from EU suppliers altogether, at least temporarily”.
The federation added that UK exports to the bloc were down by 40 to 60 per cent by value in the first three months of last year, when controls on goods moving into the EU were imposed. It said a similar pattern could emerge with imports.
The situation “presents a real risk which could disrupt the operation of UK supply chains where a critically important ingredient is delayed or fails to arrive”, the federation told the newspaper.
Supermarkets contacted by The Mail on Sunday said they had been working closely with suppliers. One said the Government had told them it would be ‘pragmatic’ about enforcing the new rules.
