The British government said it was assessing feedback on its post-Brexit border control plan in response to a media report that it was once again set to delay the introduction of import checks on goods coming from the European Union, according to Reuters.
Britain left the bloc’s single market at the start of 2021 and while goods from Britain now face EU checks and paperwork demands, London has repeatedly delayed introducing checks on EU food and plant goods.
The Financial Times said ministers were set to announce a further delay to the border controls over fears that the extra bureaucracy for imported goods would fuel inflation which stood at nearly 8% in June.
The government said in April that it would require health certifications on some animal products, plants and food and feed goods coming from Europe by October 31.
Further requirements, such as physical checks and safety declarations were due to be introduced in stages through 2024.
The government has previously cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine as reasons for delaying the new checks.
A spokesperson for the government said it was still committed to introducing an “innovative approach” for imports that would be introduced in stages.
“We are reflecting on the valuable feedback provided by a range of businesses and industry stakeholders and will publish the Border Target Operating Model shortly,” the spokesperson said in response to the FT report.