Reading, UK: Cold Chain Federation chief executive Shane Brennan has reiterated calls for another delay to the new EU food import checks which were due to come into force at the beginning of July.
The move comes as speculation grows that the UK might delay the introduction of the veterinary checks for meat, dairy and fish imports for the fourth time. Prime minister Boris Johnson hinted at a further delay during his trip to India. According to the Guardian, industry sources suggest that an announcment on a new border operating model is expected next week in a move that could push back the checks by up to ni ne months.
There is concern that European suppliers, particularly small-to-medium sized companies and those that send goods in less than full pallet loads, will struggle with the red tape and decide to leave the UK market altogether, resulting in reduced supermarket choice and higher food prices.
Speaking to BBC presenter Naga Munchetty on Radio 5 Live before the latest reports on delays, Brennan said: “Given the pressure we are under in our supply chains right now we should carry on with that delay for much longer in order to get through this really difficult period.
“And if we do delay we should use that time to rethink how we do this and come up with a better way of implementing the rules for the long term and not just kick the can down the road. It’s about coming up with a new model.”
