The UK’s Brexit trade agreement has brought in new checks that will cost one business up to £225,000 a year, according to its co-owner. Meat, dairy products, plants, and seeds are now subject to physical checks when imported to Britain from the European Union, leading to increased import costs and potential price rises for customers.
John Davidson, co-owner of flower company Tom Brown Wholesale, expressed concerns about the impact of these checks on his business, estimating costs between £200,000 and £225,000 annually. The second phase of border controls, introduced as part of the UK’s Brexit trade agreement, aims to improve biosecurity but is expected to hit smaller companies the hardest.
While the government defends the new border model as essential for biosecurity, businesses fear disruptions to supply chains and increased costs. Importers now face charges of up to £29 per shipment for certain products, with an estimated total cost of £330 million per year for British firms.
Despite assurances that the checks will not significantly raise food prices, businesses like Hamish Johnston in London anticipate having to increase prices to maintain profit margins. The Federation of Small Businesses remains uncertain about the impact of the trade checks, warning of potential closures if costs continue to rise.
As the UK adjusts to post-Brexit trade rules, the true impact of these checks on businesses and consumers remains to be seen. With concerns about rising costs and supply chain disruptions, the future of trade relations between the UK and the EU hangs in the balance.