UK border chaos avoided for EU fresh produce until 2027

The UK Government has confirmed that planned post-Brexit border checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU will now be delayed until 31 January 2027 – a victory secured solely by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) after years of lobbying and media pressure. The move spares the industry from 700,000 consignments annually subject to UK SPS ( (sanitary & phytosanitary) border controls and avoids an eye-watering £200 million in added costs – savings that will directly benefit UK consumers already struggling with the cost of living.

Common-sense solution agreed with UK government

“This is a unique and sector-specific exemption, and one we’ve fought long and hard to achieve,” said Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC). “We’re proud to have secured a common-sense solution that protects our diverse and critical industry – from supermarket supply chains to the thousands of SMEs in wholesale and foodservice.” Without this reprieve, the fresh produce industry would have faced significant operational upheaval and extra costs due to new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks due to begin on 1 July 2025 under the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

New SPS agreements to be negociated with the EU

Instead, the Government has extended the current easement to align with the end of the UK’s Transitional Staging Period (TSP). The delay also allows breathing room while the UK and EU negotiate a new SPS agreement – a process widely expected to take months, if not years. Crucially, this means that fruit and vegetables will also remain exempt from the Common User Charge (CUC) when entering via the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel – a huge benefit for importers using these major entry points. Pictures: FPC and Tesco.

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