Government will scrap border checks on fruit and vegetables imported from the European Union in an early move to “ease trade” ahead of its new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the agreement will establish a UK-EU SPS zone, slashing costs, easing pressure on food prices and eliminating routine SPS border checks for food exports and imports.

This means that checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables (including tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, peppers, and more) imported from the EU will not be required – and will therefore not be brought into force this summer.

“This Government’s EU deal will make food cheaper, slash bureaucracy and remove cumbersome border controls for businesses.”

In the short term, businesses can continue importing medium-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU without the products being subject to import checks or being charged associated fees.

Defra maintained that the SPS agreement will make food trade with the UK’s biggest market cheaper and easier, and that cutting excessive red tape and fees for traders exporting to and importing from the EU will strengthen supply chains and reduce prices for businesses and consumers.

Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman stated: “This Government’s EU deal will make food cheaper, slash bureaucracy and remove cumbersome border controls for businesses.

“A strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”

The easement of checks has now been extended from 1st July 2025 to 31st January 2027 as a contingency measure, following the Government’s announcement that it will agree a new SPS deal with the EU.

The details of the SPS agreement are now to be negotiated; traders must continue to comply with the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).