Brexit red tape risks winter of empty supermarket shelves

Exclusive: Fears of new disruption to fresh produce supply from EU when import controls hit in October

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New Brexit red tape on EU imports could push up food prices and see more shortages in the supermarkets, industry bosses fear.

Food sector leaders are worried that port authorities are unprepared for the implementation of a series of checks, including health certifications on some animal, plant and food products from the EU, that are set to be phased in from October 2023 under Boris Johnson's exit deal with Brussels.

New fees on goods coming into Britain from the EU will also add "hundreds of pounds" to the cost of importing each lorry-load of produce, business leaders told The Independent – a burden that could see some small firms "struggle to survive".

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Supermarkets were forced to ration some vegetables in February

PA/EPA

Shortages of fresh fruit and vegetables at an Asda store in east London in February

PA Wire

Extra post-Brexit checks at Dover have seen waves of disruption

PA

PA

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