Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. August 2025 issue
      2. 2025 Drills and Seeds supplement
      3. July 2025 issue
      4. June 2025 issue
      5. Cereals event guide 2025
      6. May 2025 issue
      7. April 2025 issue
      8. March 2025 issue
      9. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      10. February 2025 issue
      11. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      12. January 2025 issue
      13. December 2024 issue
      14. November 2024 issue
      15. October 2024 issue
      16. September 2024 issue
      17. August 2024 Issue
      18. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      19. July 2024 Issue
      20. Cereals Supplement
      21. June 2024 Issue
      22. May 2024 Issue
      23. April 2024 Issue
      24. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      25. March 2024 Issue
      26. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      27. February 2024 Issue
      28. January 2024 Issue
      29. December 2023
      30. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      31. November 2023
      32. October 2023
      Featured

      August 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltAugust 1, 2025
      Recent

      August 2025 issue available now

      August 1, 2025

      2025 Drills and Seeds supplement available now

      August 1, 2025

      July 2025 issue available now

      July 9, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Markets & Policy

    Delay to import checks is unacceptable according to NFU

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltMay 4, 20222 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Fresh,Fruits,And,Vegetables,Background

    The NFU has called the government’s decision not to implement planned controls on imported food and agricultural products unacceptable and said it will result in a significant blow for farming businesses, which are facing unprecedented rising costs.

    NFU president Minette Batters said: “It is astounding that the government is taking such an unacceptable approach to critical checks for agri-food imports from the EU. These checks are absolutely crucial to the nation’s biosecurity, animal health and food safety and without them, we really do leave ourselves at risk.

    minette_batters
    NFU president Minette Batters. Credit: NFU

    “For the introduction of these checks to have been delayed three times was bad enough but to now have them essentially scrapped in favour of an unknown system is unacceptable.

    “This is a question of fairness. Our producers have to meet stringent controls to export their own products abroad, all while being left at a continued competitive disadvantage to our EU competitors, who are still enjoying an extended grace period which gives them access to the prized UK market relatively cost and burden-free.

    “The government has said that controls will be delayed until a digital solution is created and so we now need to see urgent and cast-iron guarantees that it will provide the resources to implement this digital solution as soon as possible and ensure it is robust. Waiting until 2023, or beyond, would simply be too late.

    “While we recognise this is a challenging situation for everyone, this decision will come as another blow to farm businesses that are already struggling with enormous inflationary costs and ongoing labour shortages.

    “Now more than ever we need a national food strategy which demonstrates how Britain’s food supply will be secured and sustained for the future. We will be seeking urgent discussions with the government about this decision to understand what it hopes to gain from this decision and ensure ministers understand fully the competitive disadvantage they are putting British farming under.”

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleGLOBALG.A.P launches IFA v6, GRASP v2, and smart farm assurance solutions
    Next Article Pöttinger Connect: a world of networked data
    Matthew Tilt
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

    Read Similar Stories

    NFU Sugar and British Sugar agree 2026/27 sugar beet contracts

    August 18, 2025

    New report highlights issues with inheritance tax reforms

    August 18, 2025

    Capital Grants scheme closed after £150m allocated

    August 4, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    Low carbon fertiliser launched

    August 27, 2025

    Krone announces new generation of digital cameras to improve safety during operation

    August 27, 2025

    Mitas becomes general partner to World Ploughing Championships

    August 27, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.