Brexit controls on food imports pushed back to 2024 in fifth timeframe

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New post-Brexit border controls on food, animal and plant products imported from the EU have been delayed for the fifth time, Rishi Sunak's government has finally confirmed .

< p>Additional paperwork was due to be phased in from October, but will now be pushed back until 2024, due to concerns that the cost burden could worsen inflation.

Ministers have been accused of being “absolutely chaotic”. managing the rollout after the decision to delay the new 'border operating model' was announced in early August.

The government ended uncertainty for businesses on Tuesday by announcing a three-month delay months in the deployment of the new "operational model at the borders". health certificates required for imports, which will now be introduced from January 31.

It will take another three months before sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on food, animal and plant products at risk means do not come into force. on April 30.

Cabinet Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said the new system would mean "more efficient trade for businesses" and would "bring huge benefits to the economy and UK Trade".

Labour wrote to Secretary of State for Business Kemi Badenoch last week asking her to explain the government's plans amid uncertainty over the summer – accusing him of “absolutely chaotic” and “absolutely chaotic” handling of the issue.

But the companies The groups – critical of preparing for the latest wave of post-Brexit bureaucracy – widely welcomed the decision to delay, saying it would avoid "major disruption" at the border and in supermarkets.

William Bain, director of commerce at the British Chamber of Commerce, said "Businesses will be pleased with this clarity as they prepare for the difficult shift to a digital trading system."

Mr. Bain urged the government to help businesses and ports. officials are preparing for January. Businesses "need to be sure that the physical and digital infrastructure around the UK border will be in place in time", he said.

Corporate secretary Kemi Badenoch accused of 'chaotic' handling of checks

(Getty Images)