By Riad Beladi
The UK Government has confirmed that planned post-Brexit border checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imported from the EU will now be delayed until 31 January 2027 – a major victory attributed solely to the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), following persistent lobbying and sustained media advocacy.
The decision, announced quietly through updated government guidance, represents a significant lifeline for the UK’s fresh produce sector, which has long warned of the disruptive and costly impact such checks would have on supply chains, consumer prices, and the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables across British supermarkets.
For over three years, the FPC has led the charge in representing the industry’s concerns, highlighting how the additional checks—originally scheduled under the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)—would add unnecessary friction, delays, and costs to a sector already under pressure from inflation, labour shortages, and geopolitical volatility.
The FPC’s lobbying was supported by evidence-based reports, high-level discussions with DEFRA, HMRC, and Treasury, and wide-reaching media coverage, including International Supermarket News. The consortium warned that imposing physical checks on medium-risk EU imports—such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and apples—could result in shortages, increased waste, and higher prices for consumers.
Responding to the announcement, FPC CEO Nigel Jenney said: “This is a huge win for common sense and for food security in the UK. Our members are relieved that their voices have finally been heard. Implementing these checks would have threatened the availability and affordability of fresh produce for millions of UK families.”
Major supermarket groups and importers across the country have welcomed the move, many of whom had warned privately that the BTOM checks were impractical, ill-timed, and poorly aligned with the just-in-time nature of perishable goods logistics.
While the delay is a significant reprieve, the FPC emphasises that this is not the end of the road. The organisation is now calling for a complete re-evaluation of the risk classification and import processes for fresh produce, urging the government to work collaboratively with the sector to develop a modern, tech-enabled border system that protects plant health without jeopardising commercial viability.
The FPC is also pressing for clarity and transparency around the timeline and framework for the eventual implementation of the checks, and for further support measures to strengthen UK food resilience in the face of global disruptions. As Britain continues to recalibrate its post-Brexit trading identity, this development underscores the crucial role of specialist trade bodies in shaping policy outcomes that directly affect the food on British tables.