Defra Confirm extension of easement for Medium Risk Fruit & Vegetables to 1 July 2025

After many months of lobbying, FPc today received the following communication from Defra,

"I am emailing to notify you of a change to the current BTOM timeline for the implementation of some phytosanitary controls.

Defra, working with the Scottish and Welsh governments are committed to extending the current easement for checks and the associated fees on medium-risk fruit and vegetable imports from the EU and Switzerland, which was due to end on 31 January 2025, to 1 July 2025. This extension will give businesses and traders more time to prepare for the implementation of these controls and will ensure that checks are introduced progressively to protect our biosecurity whilst also minimising disruption and costs to trade.

Alongside this extension, and after further scientific review of commodities across all plant and plant product risk categories, there will be changes to the risk categorisation of certain plants and plant products meaning increased deregulation at the border for imports from EU and Switzerland. From 30 January 2025, 7 commodity groups (including apples and pears) will move from the medium-risk to low-risk category meaning they will be able to move freely into GB from the EU and Switzerland.

We will continue to work collaboratively with FPC whilst we implement the phased BTOM biosecurity controls.

More information can be found here."