The UK government has postponed inspections of ‘medium-risk’ EU fruits and vegetables from 31 January 2025 to 1 July 2025. This was announced by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on Friday 13 September.
It means that medium-risk fruits and vegetables from the EU will not be checked at the UK border until 1 July 2025. The costs for inspections will also only apply from that date, DEFRA said.
The UK government stresses that this is a temporary measure; the postponement gives the new ministers a chance to thoroughly assess border controls. It also gives them the opportunity to listen to companies involved in fruit and vegetable imports, while giving businesses time to prepare for the border controls. The delay also ensures that the inspections will safeguard the UK's biosecurity as well as minimise costs and disruption to trade.
