- The previous Brexit deal would have put costly checks on fruit and veg importers, due to come into force this summer
- In advance of new SPS agreement with EU, fruit and veg imports will require no fees or border checks
- Saves businesses time and money by cutting red tape to support growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change
The government will scrap border checks on fruit and veg imported from the European Union in an early move to ease trade ahead of its new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal with the EU.
The agreement will establish a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary zone, slashing costs, easing pressure on food prices and eliminating routine SPS border checks for food exports and imports.
This means that checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables (including tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, peppers, and more) imported from the EU will not be required – and will therefore not be brought into force this summer.
In the short term, businesses can continue importing medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU without the products being subject to import checks or being charged associated fees.
The SPS agreement will make food trade with the UK’s biggest market cheaper and easier. Cutting excessive red tape and fees for traders exporting to and importing from the EU will strengthen supply chains and reduce prices for businesses and consumers.
Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said:
“This government’s EU deal will make food cheaper, slash bureaucracy and remove cumbersome border controls for businesses.
“A strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”
The easement of import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU was introduced as a temporary measure to provide businesses time to prepare for their implementation, and ensure a smooth flow of essential goods across the UK border.
The easement of checks has now been extended from 1 July 2025 to 31 January 2027 as a contingency measure, following the government’s announcement that it will agree a new SPS deal with the EU.
The details of the SPS agreement are now to be negotiated; traders must continue to comply with the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).
Protecting UK biosecurity remains a key government priority, and risk-based surveillance will continue to manage the biosecurity risks of these products.
Defra will continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Border Control Post operators to maintain UK biosecurity while minimising disruption to the flow of goods.
Notes to editors
- Plants and plant products imported to Great Britain from the EU are categorised by their biosecurity risk. Medium-risk fruit and veg includes grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, peppers, tomatoes, basil and more. A complete list can be found here: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/trade/imports/target-operating-model-tom/btom-risk-categorisations/
- The Border Target Operating Model sets out what import controls are applied to animals, animal products, plants and plants products at the UK border.
