101 UK Brexit Notes

Connemara Programme October 16 2018 pg. 35 Import notifications and import controls There would be no change on the day the UK leaves the EU to current import controls or requirements for notifications of imports of live animals and animal products for imports direct from the EU. These imports do not need to be notified on TRACES at the moment and, in order to ensure a smooth transition, the government would not introduce new requirements at the point the UK leaves the EU. To maintain high levels of food safety, the UK would require importers of high-risk food and feed to pre-notify the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of imports from the EU. Defra and the FSA are working to establish when such a requirement could be satisfactorily introduced. More information will be released later in the Autumn. This requirement would have no direct impact at the border or for port health authorities. Pre-notifications would be made electronically, in advance, by those introducing high- risk foods into the UK, and would be managed by the FSA. No additional controls would be introduced at the border. There will be no change to current import controls and requirements for notifications of live animals, animal products, and high-risk food and feed imported directly from third countries. The only difference is that importers would need to use the new import notification system, instead of TRACES. Changes would apply to control requirements for imports of third country animal products and high-risk food and feed which move through the EU before arrival in the UK, from March 2019. Importers would need to notify UK authorities using the new import notification system and would be directed to an existing UK BIP where the relevant checks would take place. This requirement would ensure the current level of biosecurity is maintained. The requirement for live animal imports from a third country, which move through the EU before arrival in the UK, to enter via a UK BIP is being reviewed as all live animals would have been subject to checks at the point of entry to the EU. For live animal imports the importer will be required to notify the UK authorities using the new import notification system. Border Inspection Posts There would be an increase in the number of consignments requiring import control checks at a BIP as a result of the need to carry out these checks on transit items that are currently carried out elsewhere in the EU. Those carrying out the checks at the BIP would receive notifications on the new import notification system to support checks and controls. These users will be fully trained to minimise the impact at the border and reduce the chance of delays.