UK delays post-Brexit border checks, citing pandemic impact

The U.K. said the “pragmatic new timetable” would ease pressure on businesses struggling with supply chain disruptions from the pandemic

Britain announced on Tuesday that it is delaying the start of post-Brexit border checks on food imports from the European Union (EU), saying trade disruption from the coronavirus pandemic has already piled pressure on businesses. The delay means checks on EU agricultural and animal products that were due to start from October, won’t be introduced until next year. The U.K. said the “pragmatic new timetable” would ease pressure on businesses grappling with supply chain disruptions from the pandemic. It said customs declarations and controls will be introduced on Jan. 1, but safety and security declarations won’t be required until July 1.