New post-Brexit checks on food and drink imports have come into force today amid concerns that fresh checks at the border will lead to increased costs for businesses.

       The new rules mean that health certificates will now be needed on a wide range of EU goods such as meat, fruit and vegetables. A further system for physical checks at the border is coming into force on 30 April.

       But fears have been expressed about disruption to supply chains, with businesses concerned about delays and increased costs.

       Conservative health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom played down concerns about more red tape, saying that checks at the UK/EU border are the “price you pay” for leaving the EU.

       She told Times Radio: “It was very clear in the Brexit discussions a long time ago now, today is the fourth anniversary of leaving the EU, it was very clear that we would be leaving the single market.

       “What that does mean is that there is some friction in trade. However, we also have huge trading arrangements with other countries around the world.”