“When the borders were open, we were actively encouraged to trade with the continent, so now our businesses are dependent on the European market.” A nurseryman based in south London, Craig Marshall shares his apprehension with the daily newspaper The Times, this Tuesday April 30, the day the first post-Brexit customs controls come into force in the United Kingdom.
“Eventually, all imports considered high risk, such as live animals, eggs and seeds must be inspected, details the conservative newspaper, while a third of moderate-risk products, such as dairy and flowers, will be subject to random checks.”
For three months, British companies have already had to obtain sanitary and phytosanitary certificates before importing certain goods. A Source of administrative hassle and additional costs, notes The Guardian, “which have dissuaded some European companies from doing business with the United Kingdom”.
Harmonization of standards ruled out
This new phase of the commercial relationship between the two sides of the Channel comes late, more than three years after the official exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU). “British companies have benefited from four postponements in order to prepare as best as possible”, slips through the London daily life. Europeans, for their part, began inspecting goods coming from the United Kingdom in spring 2021.
“These physical controls will cause even greater disruption than certificates,” predicts the newspaper, a fierce critic of Brexit.
“Trucks will inevitably be held up at the border. In 2021, when the EU got started, British exporters lamented the loss of many containers of meat, left to rot in European ports.
For the Financial Times, “one of the solutions would have been to agree with the EU to harmonize animal health standards, which would have reduced friction.” The EU, continues the economic newspaper, has for example an agreement to this effect with Switzerland, “but the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, refuses to hear of such an arrangement”.
Inspections 35 kilometers from the port
Result, the cost of trade “will increase, by the authorities’ own admission”, deplores the Guardian. And the same for shelf prices, with a price increase of around 0.2%, according to estimates from the conservative government.
“The United Kingdom is determined to regain control of its borders,” as promised by Brexit supporters during the 2016 referendum, analyzes the Financial Times. Even if it means taking certain risks: in Dover, the checks will take place approximately 35 kilometers northwest of the port. “The government has not explained how it intends to ensure that trucks will reach the inspection area, nor how it intends to guarantee that rejected goods will leave the country.” Port authorities are already concerned about an increase in illegal imports of meat products observed in recent months.. “The government, squeaks it Financial Times, seems more concerned at this stage by the potential negative images of endless traffic jams on the motorway than by the establishment of a reliable control system.
