UK Government has delayed introducing more checks on EU goods entering the UK for the fourth time - over fears it will impact supply chains and add to rising inflation.
The UK voted to leave the European Union back in 2016 and the EU brought in customs and goods checks on imports from Britain in January 2021.
But while part of the new border controls have been introduced here the UK has now delayed implementing full reciprocal checks four times - with facilities at ports like Holyhead still not completed.
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The controls due in July would have included prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU, safety and security declarations, and changes to sanitary and phytosanitary checks on plant and animal products.
But Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg today confirmed these restrictions would be moved back to the end of 2023.
They will also review how to implement these remaining controls in “an improved way” which will “harness the power of data and technology”.
It is not known if this will impact the current plan for a 100 job border post which is due to be developed by Welsh Government at Parc Cybi.
UK Government is also building a separate £45m customs post at the former Roadking lorry park. This will not be impacted.
Mr Rees-Mogg said it “will allow British businesses to focus on their recovery from the pandemic, navigate global supply chain issues and ensure that new costs are not passed on to consumers”.
But Richard Ballantyne, the British Ports Association’s chief executive, said: “Many UK port operators have built border control posts in preparation for post Brexit checks and all were due to be ready.
“This announcement is a major policy change, meaning the facilities will effectively become white elephants, wasting millions of pounds of public and private funding, not to mention the huge effort there has been to get things ready in time.”
