United Kingdom: Timeline for Implementing Import Controls at the Border
On 29 August 2023, the United Kingdom published the final version of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which setting out the UK import controls for plants/plant products, animals/animal products, and foodstuffs. Through the BTOM, the British government officially announces how it will implement its own border control system.
Although the introduction of border controls by the UK has been (partially) postponed numerous times, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) is preparing for a new control regime that will actually be implemented on 31 January 2024. It is therefore important that everyone makes final preparations.
The British government has announced the following timeline for the controls:
- From 31 January 2024, a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate will be required for import into the UK for a large group of animal products, plants, and plant products of medium risk or higher. This applies to most animal products and five types of cut flowers.
- From 30 April 2024, the UK will open Border Control Posts (BCPs) and physically inspect the aforementioned EU products.
- From 31 October 2024, all EU exporters will be required to submit a Security Declaration (ENS) prior to transport to the UK.
In recent weeks, many responses to the BTOM have been collected from companies, industry representatives, and inspection services. A number of aspects of the BTOM are still unclear. The UK has indicated that it will provide further information. The Netherlands has also submitted several questions through formal EU channels and directly to the UK. Some things have now become clearer; see DEFRA’s responses of 24-11-2023. Although some necessary clarifications complicate preparation, they are not a reason not to postpone these preparations.
The various Brexit consultations between stakeholders (industry organizations, inspection services, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)) will continue in the coming period. We will share the answers we receive to our questions there. Questions from businesses can be submitted to these stakeholder consultations via the industry organization or inspection service, or sent directly to brexit@nvwa.nl. Specific Brexit meetings will be facilitated if desired.
The original published document is available on the DEFRA website
The applicable import regulations for each third country can always be found in the NVWA Export Assistant This information will be updated as soon as possible in response to the new British requirements.
Certain dairy and egg products are subject to mandatory certification. Dairy/dairy products include raw milk or products based on raw milk, such as raw milk cheese, that are stored refrigerated. Infant formula and FSMPs (foods for special medical purposes) are also subject to certification requirements in certain cases. The full risk classification can be found on the DEFRA website.
Eggs include fresh eggs, as well as boiled and peeled eggs, provided they cannot be kept at room temperature. Egg products include products that cannot be kept at room temperature, such as liquid egg products. Whether or not these products have undergone heat treatment does not affect this requirement.
As soon as more information about the certification modalities is available, the COKZ will communicate this via the relevant sectors.
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