Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), has warned that the sector could be severely impacted further if the government doesn’t act swiftly to delay or clarify the latest round of border checks which are due to come into force in January 2025.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he said, “This is a hospital pass from the previous government. We are simply waiting for confirmation of when these checks will begin to occur and which products will be within the controls, and we simply don’t have it at this time after years of waiting.”
According to the FPC, more than 2,000 vehicles a week transport fresh produce into the UK and could be subject to stringent controls under the new rules. Jenny also highlighted the broader impact on UK horticultural production, stating, “The current border strategy also undermines UK horticultural production of many of our favourite homegrown fruit & veg.
“It’s essential we import both seed and young plants to support UK production of many crops including tomatoes and many more. The delays and risks imposed by the previous government’s border strategy is immense.
“There’s two aspects here. On the basis of the regulations, they are based on risk from a biosecurity point of view, so risk of potential pests and diseases. If the government confirms that many of these products are low risk, the controls don’t need to happen and the costs don’t need to be incurred.”
The FPC is calling on the government to provide immediate clarity on the implementation of these checks and the specific products affected. Without this information, the sector faces potential disruptions that could lead to higher prices and reduced availability of fresh produce for consumers.
At the same time, the economic impact of existing border controls is becoming apparent as the first invoices for the common user charge (CUC) fee at the Sevington border control post in Kent start to arrive.
All consignments subject to SPS checks traveling via the Eurotunnel or Dover, including meat, dairy, and plant products, must pay the CUC. The fresh produce sector is facing an estimated annual financial burden of around £200 Million despite being subjected to “low levels of inspections,” explained Jenney. “In other words, official fees are levied on 97% of consignments which won’t be inspected. Currently, even modest levels of inspection aren’t taking place, so industry continues to pay for a service which isn’t actually happening.”
