UK suspends new EU animal import checks to support trade

UK – Britain has suspended the introduction of extra border checks on live animal imports from the European Union in a bid to ease trade pressures while finalizing a new deal with Brussels, the government confirmed this week. 

The decision also covers certain animal and plant products imported from Ireland, reflecting a broader effort to smooth supply chains and reduce costs for businesses.

The checks were due under the UK’s post-Brexit border regime but have now been put on hold as London and Brussels prepare to implement a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement struck in May. 

Once in place, the deal will reduce paperwork and remove routine border inspections on plant and animal products moving between the UK and EU, while upholding food safety standards.

Balancing trade and biosecurity

Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman described the suspension as a move to back British businesses while protecting the UK’s borders. 

“Our deal with the EU will boost British businesses as we cut cumbersome bureaucracy and make trading food with our biggest market both cheaper and easier,” she said. “Protecting the UK’s biosecurity is essential, and our partnership with the EU will ensure this while delivering for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”

The government stressed that biosecurity remains a priority. Some live animals from the EU will still undergo checks at their destination based on risk factors. 

Non-qualifying goods arriving from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will continue to require pre-notification and certification in some cases but will not face routine physical inspection.

Next steps and ongoing uncertainty

Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the suspension will be reviewed regularly to ensure risks are managed effectively. 

A spokesperson noted that no timeline has yet been set for the full implementation of the SPS deal, which remains under negotiation.

The latest decision follows a June announcement that checks on EU fruit and vegetable imports, including tomatoes, grapes, and peppers, would be scrapped. 

For now, British traders must continue operating under the Border Target Operating Model, which sets risk-based surveillance measures to safeguard the country’s biosecurity.

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