British govt plans customs and biosecurity checks

The British government, in conjunction with the Scottish and Welsh governments, has published plans to begin customs, sanitary and phytosanitary checks on EU goods commencing at the end of October.

Since the UK departed the EU, the imposition of their own border checks has been postponed a number of times.

As part of the UK Border Operating Target Model, businesses from Ireland will face new checks and controls when moving goods from Irish ports directly to the UK.

The new rules will not apply to EU imports travelling directly into Northern Ireland nor will they affect the new red/ green lane arrangements for imports to Northern Ireland travelling directly from the UK.

The British government has said it still wishes to hear from stakeholders regarding the new rule, but it added that it was the firm intention of the government to begin these new checks in October.

The first checks, to be introduced on 31 October, will involve the introduction of health certification requirements on medium risk animal products such as meat, dairy, fish and plants from Ireland and the rest of the EU.

Full implementation of the checks is expected in the 12 months following 31 October.

Source: RTE