Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Import check readiness

Status: Closed Opened: 24 Jan 2022 Closed: 1 Nov 2022
Inquiry scopeFollowing Brexit, free movement of products of animal original (POAO) and live animals between Great Britain and the European Union ended. The EU introduced full border checks immediately after the EU rules on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards ceased to apply to GB on 1 January 2021. In contrast, full checks and controls have yet to be introduced in GB for EU imports of all but the most high-risk POAO. Full checks and controls were originally due to be introduced on 1 January 2021 – however, the timetable has been revised four times by the Government, sometimes only shortly before the planned start date. The Committee is concerned that the continued lack of full checks and controls on POAO imports from the EU risks both our competitiveness and bio-security, and weakens our negotiating position with the EU. Link to call of evidence.

Oral evidence sessions

1 session

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Date Session and witnesses Source
1 Mar 2022
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David Kennedy · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, James Russell · British Veterinary Association, Karen Betts · Food and Drink Federation, Mr Andrew Opie · British Retail Consortium (BRC), Richard Ballantyne · British Ports Association
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Who gave evidence

6 witnesses

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WitnessOrganisationSessions
David Kennedy · Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
George Eustice · Secretary of State Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
James Russell · Senior Vice President British Veterinary Association 1
Karen Betts · Chief Executive Food and Drink Federation 1
Mr Andrew Opie · Director British Retail Consortium (BRC) 1
Richard Ballantyne · Chief Executive Officer British Ports Association 1