Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


Safety & Security decs heap yet more pressure on the fruit and veg trade

[ February 6, 2025   //   ]

Safety & Security (S&S) declarations that came into force at the end of January will affect hauliers handling imported goods if they are not prepared, warns Mike Parr, chief executive UK and Ireland for perishables specialist PML Seafrigo.

To be fully compliant, regulated products coming into the UK must have the correct Phytosanitary or Health (Sanitary) documentation raised by the exporter, and this needs to be sent to the importer or their intermediary prior to the shipment’s arrival in the UK.

Such goods must be pre-notified on IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed system) and documents need to be sent to the importer or their intermediary prior to the shipment’s arrival in GB. If selected for a physical examination goods then need to be presented to Inland Border Facility or a Control Point as selected in IPAFFS. 

This is likely to cause severe disruption to importers, retailers and ultimately consumers. PML Seafrigo has asked Customs why S&S declarations cannot be consolidated within the pre-lodged import declarations which hauliers are already expected to submit but has not received a response to date.

Parr comments: “Looking at the S&S declarations from the exporter’s perspective, we are aware that phytosanitary certificates (PCs) can take anything up to five days to raise, dependent on the availability of an APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) official.”

For certain goods, such as berries, this five-day window is difficult because the product may not be ready for export on a specific date. He adds: “We know that countries such as The Netherlands have embraced technology to overcome these issues, allowing the producer to send a video to the Defra equivalent. If there is no response within two hours, this is interpreted as immediate approval. Why can the same approach not be adopted in the UK?”

The voluntary PHEATS trade scheme allows authorised persons to perform certain phytosanitary actions and carry out their own inspections, with Defra-trained staff raising PCs in-house post inspection. The scheme was launched as a pilot but at this juncture there is no firm indication of it being rolled out to exporters or their agents. In addition, the cost of entry to the scheme in terms of both hours and fees is prohibitive for some growers.

Parr continues: “Add to the above the regular government U-turns, which I’ve vocalised on numerous occasions, and you have the perfect storm. Not only are these frustrating, they also represent a considerable waste of time as forwarders and businesses dedicate costly resources to ensuring they remain up to date with the latest required import and export protocols.”

Last year he commented that hauliers are already reluctant to transport goods to the UK due to the increased checks and associated disruption. The net result will be less fruit and vegetables on the shelves and higher prices, caused by fewer hauliers moving goods, reduced shelf life and even destruction of consignments following delays, and producers unable to deal with the rising costs associated with exporting to the UK.

He concludes: “This is once again an example of the government failing to pay heed to those working at the coalface – 2025 is destined to be a very challenging year for all those involved in the perishable goods food supply chain.”

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