UK delays post-Brexit border checks, citing pandemic impact

Britain says it is delaying the start of post-Brexit border checks on food imports from the European Union

LONDON -- Britain announced Tuesday it is delaying the start of post-Brexit border checks on food imports from the European Union, saying trade disruption from the coronavirus pandemic has already piled pressure on businesses. The delay means paperwork and checks for 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. Paperwork on plant and animal products that was due to start Oct. 1 has been pushed to Jan. 1, the government said. It said customs declarations and controls will be introduced on Jan. 1 as planned, but safety and security declarations won’t be required until July 1.