BTOM teething problems: Government must clarify classification of fruit and vegetables given risk to supply chain, says Logistics UK

It has been developed in collaboration across the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and engagement with officials from the devolved administration in Northern Ireland, but is already causing consternation in the logistics sector with the government indicating that fresh fruit and vegetables are to be reclassified as “medium risk” goods for border inspections. 

Logistics UK is calling on the government to address the confusion caused by this and publish its assessment of the impact on the UK’s supply chain.   

“Logistics businesses have been pressing government for clarity on how border checks will be done on freight from the EU since the Brexit vote,” says Logistics UK’s Head of Trade, Nichola Mallon.  

“With only days to go until the first stage of the BTOM was introduced, why did the government provide conflicting and confusing information that will slow down the preparedness of the UK’s businesses to trade effectively with their EU suppliers?”  

On 24 January 2024, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stated that it was changing its classification of how fruit and vegetable imports will be handled after 31 October 2024, meaning they will be subject to physical checks before being passed to cross the UK border.  

Since then, the government has rowed back, stating that some fruit and vegetables from the EU are “temporarily being treated as low risk” and that “further information related to the categorisation of fruit and vegetables from the EU will be available shortly.”  

No rationale has been provided for this reclassification of fresh produce or any further detail given. And, as Ms Mallon continues, this confusion is preventing businesses from preparing effectively for the country’s new trading relationship with the EU.  

“In selling the BTOM to industry, the government stated that 90% of all sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) commodities – those of plant or animal origin – are low risk, meaning they wouldn’t require an Export Health Certificate, be subject to physical checks or hit with a higher import charge,” explains Mallon.  

“This change in classification will add significant time and costs to this critical “just in time” supply chain. Logistics businesses are already struggling with rising inflation, as they operate on particularly narrow margins. These increased costs can only add to inflation and at a time when food inflation remains high.   

“Our members have kept the UK stocked with goods throughout the pandemic and have worked tirelessly to prepare for a post-Brexit world. They should not be given conflicting information and kept in the dark until the eleventh hour.  

“Our members deserve better from government,” Mallon concludes. “We are seeking urgent clarification on this issue and for decisions on all outstanding issues to be made public, including the import charge government will apply at its border control posts.” 

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns     

Published On: 01/02/2024 14:30:00

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