The UK Government has updated its Common User Charge policy, and the meat industry has called for clarity and reassurance as the 30th April deadline draws near.
As part of the incoming Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), UK businesses will need to pay the Common User Charge if they import goods that transit or enter through Great Britain through the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel. Businesses will also need to pay the Common User Charge if they are eligible for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks at a Government-run border control post (BCP) in England.
Nan Jones, technical policy manager at the British Meat Processors Association, said: "The CUC is established to cover operational expenses at Government-operated facilities. While this concept is familiar to us, the concern arises from the delay in announcing the specifics of these charges and their implementation methods. With less than a month remaining until the 30th April rollout, businesses require time to adjust and accommodate the added expenses.
"Furthermore, SMEs are disproportionately affected compared to larger businesses. Their smaller export volumes mean a higher cost per consignment, potentially making exports to GB unfeasible. Consequently, there's a looming possibility of businesses opting out of such ventures. This, in turn, could lead to diminished food choices as well as adding to food price inflation.
"Once again, this scenario highlights the far-reaching consequences of Brexit."
Product import fees to occur in addition to inspection fees
The publication stated that while low-risk products of animal origin (POAO) and POAO transits will be capped at £50, medium and high-risk products will be capped at £145.
Individual products will be charged at £29, and fees will occur in addition to any inspection fees applied by either the Animal and Plant Health Agency (for plants and plant products) or the port health authority (for products of animal origin).
President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Tom Bradshaw said: "The NFU has been pushing the need for effective and efficient import controls for years in order to protect the UK from biosecurity risks and disease outbreaks, so it's good to see controls finally being implemented.
"Farmers and growers will only have a few weeks to prepare for these additional costs and paperwork. We urgently need clarity about how import charges will be applied and reassurance that for these new charges they will receive a high level of service at control posts.
"We are still working with Government to make sure import controls are carried out at an appropriate place within the supply chain, in a way that recognises the needs and nuances of different sectors."
A spokesperson for the British Poultry Council (BPC) said that they had "argued that the additional costs burdening exporters since 2020 is unfair" and BPC would say "that this is unfair too". The BPC called for a level playing field "on the checks side of things", and said that in an ideal world it would like "to see costs on both sides eliminated", and highlighted that an SPS agreement may be the way forward.
Government said in the publication that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would develop the Common User Charge rates for live animals separately and will “publish the rates before implementing them”.
Katie Doherty, CEO of the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA), said: "I believe it is dangerous for Defra to assume that the educational approach since 31st January means 30th April will be a smooth transition. We have significant concerns and are calling for an extension to the educational period well beyond 30th April."
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
