Jacob Rees-Mogg slammed the 'stupid' new rules (Image: Getty)
Tory MPs have slammed the new post-Brexit import controls that will see the price of fruit and vegetables rise.
As part of the new rules, the government are setting paperwork requirements for EU businesses sending animal and plant products to the UK from next week.
Physical inspections are set to start in April, having been postponed five times since the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement came into force in January 2021.
Food importers and Dutch flower growers have since shared concerns that the burden of the extra adminstration could impact the price, choice, availability and shelf life of products in the UK.
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On Wednesday, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) updated its website and unexpectedly reclassified many fruit and vegetable consignments from the EU as “medium risk” from “low risk” for the purposes of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) from 31st October.
READ MORE: Tories urge PM to tackle 'unsustainable' legal migration ahead of election
This is really stupid and is why I strongly opposed it as Brexit Opportunities Minister. https://t.co/GxWw517jBy
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) January 26, 2024
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) claims this decision will add ￡200 million to the cost of imports, therefore raising the price for consumers.
Writing about the decision on social media platform X, MP Jacob Rees-Mogg wrote: "This is really stupid and is why I strongly opposed it as Brexit Opportunities Minister."
Speaking to ITV, Nigel Jenney, CEO of the FPC, said: "These increased costs will apply in October and be passed straight on to consumers and they are a threat to the viability of numerous small businesses".
Nearly half of what the UK eats comes from abroad, with two-thirds of that coming directly from the EU, according to the Food Standards Agency.
Fruit and vegetable prices are set to rise due to new import costs (Image: Getty)
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The new controls will apply to peaches, strawberries, apples, peaches, pears, tomatoes, blueberries, grapes and some vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots.
Exporters in the EU will have to complete Phytosanitary Certificates which will be signed by a health official.
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Those certificates will then be lodged on DEFRA’s "Import of Products Animals, Food and Feed System" to notify the enforcement authorities in the UK.
Once the paperwork is done, the HGVs may be selected for inspection at Border Control while en route to the UK, with an entry charge costing between ￡20 and ￡43.
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