The recent announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that import and export checks on fruit and vegetables will not be introduced from 1 July 2025 has been welcomed by a leading industry body but it argues that the Government should go further.
While Logistics UK sees the Defra decision as a step in the right direction, it would now like to see what it calls a more pragmatic approach to the introduction of “Not for EU” labelling on composite products such as pizza and pet food from the same date.
The labelling scheme, intended to eliminate any physical checks when goods move within the UK internal market system without causing problems for the EU of goods being moved from Northern Ireland to Ireland, has already been delayed.
Describing it as a significant and extremely costly change, Logistics UK has highlighted the deadline of 1 July for the introduction of Phase Three of “Not for EU” labelling on composite products and pointed out that it may well be scrapped once further talks are held with the European Commission after the recent negotiations between the UK and EU.
Head of Trade and Devolved Policy, Nichola Mallon, said: “This expensive requirement will most likely be removed by the forthcoming SPS agreement and we would urge the EU and UK to take where possible a more pragmatic approach to support businesses and minimise the considerable cost burden they are facing."
