The UK government is planning to increase border inspection fees later this year, a move that could push up the cost of fruit and vegetables.
The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), which operates under Defra, is proposing changes to import fees, which have remained unchanged since 2019. The revised plant health charges are designed to cover the costs of border checks and are expected to come into force at all UK entry points from autumn 2025, subject to approval. APHA has suggested a 27% rise in import fees to achieve full cost recovery.
The fresh produce industry has raised concerns over its ability to absorb such a sharp increase in costs, warning that the additional expense will likely be passed on to consumers. In a recent interview with The Grocer, Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) highlighted that these changes could see annual fees paid by the industry surge from around £6.5 million to at least £16 million, with 95% of these costs falling on the fruit, vegetable, and plant sectors.
Jenney also pointed out that part of these rising costs stems from the UK’s changed trading relationship with Europe, which has led to stricter checks on EU plant and animal imports since post-Brexit rules were introduced last year. While acknowledging the government’s right to recover costs through a full cost recovery model, he stressed that the industry is prepared to pay a fair price for a fair service.
However, Jenney was critical of the current inspection system, describing the service as “second-rate.” He highlighted frequent delays in deliveries and significant extra costs for businesses that already meet high food safety standards. He warned that the scale of the additional charges means the industry cannot absorb them, meaning shoppers will ultimately pay more at the till.
See also: ‘We’ve Become The Country That No-One Wants To Supply Anymore’: The Harsh Reality Behind The BTOM Effect
Meanwhile, a recent Defra report estimates that running the government’s new border control facility in Sevington will cost £23 million in its first year, from 30 April 2024 to 29 April 2025. The Sevington facility is responsible for carrying out the majority of the UK’s post-Brexit checks on EU goods. The government is expected to use these cost estimates to reassess its common user charge—paid by traders importing goods via Dover or the Eurotunnel—which varies according to the type of goods entering the UK.
The common user charge is intended to help Defra recover the costs of carrying out post-Brexit inspections on EU imports at the new facility. However, the £23 million estimate has raised concerns among importers, who argue that the Sevington Border Control Post is too expensive, potentially leading to higher fees in April as the government seeks to recoup its costs.
Jenney criticised the operational costs at Sevington as “simply obscene” and described the service at the facility as “atrocious,” citing frequent delays and poor handling of goods. He also noted that while businesses receive invoices suggesting that income generated at Sevington exceeds its £23 million operational costs, the level of service does not reflect this expenditure.
The final operating costs of the Sevington Border Control Post will be published in April 2025, at which point Defra will confirm the common user charge rates for 2025-2026. The actual figure may differ from the current estimate, as it will be based on the full year’s spending.
The Fresh Produce Consortium has been calling for the introduction of an ‘authorised operator status’ (AOS) scheme for several years. This internationally recognised system would allow businesses to carry out their own official plant health inspections, easing the burden on APHA. Many importers already have their own storage and distribution facilities at key entry points where they could conduct these checks safely.
A pilot scheme for AOS, involving several businesses across the supply chain, concluded on 13 December. However, the government has yet to confirm whether the system will be rolled out more widely. Jenney sees AOS as an efficient solution that would strengthen biosecurity while making better use of industry resources, rather than relying on a limited number of government inspectors.
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