This decision means that certain medium-risk fruit and vegetable products entering Great Britain will continue to bypass import checks and the associated fees until the revised date.
The extension is intended to give newly appointed ministers time to review the planned implementation of stricter border controls. It will also allow them to engage further with businesses across the import supply chain to better understand potential impacts.
In addition to extending the easement, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has re-evaluated the risk categorisation of specific plants and plant products. Following “a scientific review”, seven commodity groups, including apples and pears, have been downgraded from medium to low risk.
As a result, these products will be able to enter Great Britain without import restrictions from the EU, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This reclassification is set to come into effect on 30 January 2025.
The government emphasised that this extension is a temporary measure and that biosecurity remains a priority.