Grocery bills set to rise with the UK border checks on EU food imports
Control of imported food from the European Union has been reinstated at British borders, primarily focusing on fresh plants, meat, and live livestock. These measures are expected to increase prices in stores.
1 May 2024 10:34
Fresh meat, dairy products, eggs, plants, and seeds, as well as live livestock entering the UK, will now be subjected to "biosecurity safety" inspections.
The London government states that these controls, costing around £2.9 billion, are designed to shield the public from potentially dangerous plant or animal diseases.
Imported goods are categorized based on risk levels. For instance, live livestock is considered high-risk and is being specifically screened for diseases. Meanwhile, canned meats do not require biological inspections.
Controls to affect British consumers financially
According to ITV News, the introduction of controls will affect food importers, who are expected to pass on the extra costs to consumers. An analysis by ITV News predicts that an average British household will see an increase of £8.57 in their monthly grocery bill.
The British government has acknowledged that the new border regulations may push up inflation in the country, though they anticipate the rise to be no more than 0.2 percentage points over the next three years.
So far, the surge in food prices has been a major factor driving up living costs for the UK population. The country is experiencing a 4 percent annual increase in food price inflation.
A result of Brexit
The introduction of Border Control Post (BCP) procedures stems from the UK's departure from the European Union.
These controls are enforced at specific border points. Starting in January, the UK implemented mandatory certificates, known as Export Health Certificates (EHC), for food and agricultural products brought from the EU.
