5th Delay on Import border checks announced
The UK government has announced that the implementation of post Brexit border checks on food and fresh products have been delayed for a 5th time.
While thorough checks have been in place for UK food exports to the EU since 1st January 2021, equivalent checks on food products imported from the EU were due to be introduced from 1st April 2021.
The latest delay means that the physical checks which were due to begin in January 2024 will now be pushed back to April 2024.
Australia looking for share in UK Beef and Lamb market
Australian beef and lamb producers are looking to gain a share in the UK market using their Aussie Beef & Lamb (ABL) brand.
The brand is launching in the UK following the Free Trade Agreement signed between the UK and Australia in 2021. The Aussie Beef & Lamb brand is used to promote Australian red meat across export markets, representing beef, lamb, goat and veal.
The UK-Australia free-trade agreement came into force on 31 May this year. Tariff-free beef imports into the UK is currently 20,616t per calendar year and will grow to 110t per year by 2033.
Habitat Wales scheme to open on 29th September
The Welsh Government has announced that the Habitat Wales Scheme will open for applications on 29th September with contracts due to start on 1st January 2024.
The new scheme has been introduced as a transition agri-environment scheme following the end of the Glastir scheme in December 2023. The scheme aims to maintain and increase the area of habitat land under management across Wales and will be available to all eligible farmers, including Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic farmers.
The budget has yet to be confirmed for the scheme however most Glastir contract holders that enter the scheme will see significant reductions in their annual payments due to the differences in structure between the two schemes.