Borders Updates - Jan 2024

Further to our update on the 20th December, I'm sharing a few borders updates below from our DEFRA meetings recently:

Transitional Labelling Financial Assistance Scheme

• Guidance published before Christmas and can be seen here.
• Open for applications Monday (8th Jan) to support businesses for phase 1 labelling costs incurred last year. Closes 15 March 2024.
• Webinars on the scheme can be found here.

Rest of the World

• DEFRA informed the EU of additional list of 'exempted goods':
  
  • Meat: Cooked Thai Poultry, Cooked Chinese Poultry  
  • Fruit: Lychee, Dragon fruit, Figs 
  • Cut Flowers: Chrysanthemum, Lilies, Roses, Carnations, Alstroemeria, Tulips, Sunflowers, Gypsophila, Protea, Brassica 
  • Cut Herbs: Chives, Lemongrass, Tarragon, Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Mint, Coriander, Rosemary, Turmeric, Sage, Basil
• Need to go through process with EU to ensure laws match and requirements of Windsor Framework met. Products can continue to move while they go through that process.
• Goods from the ‘Rest of the World’ that do not fall under the definitions in existing guidance or are not included in the ‘exempted list’ should not move under the NIRMS.
• We are waiting for further updates on foilage - DEFRA aims to provide an update by 12th January.

Lastly, we've feedback that EU environment rules will impact the UK so we wish for more information on the government strategy. Again we will keep you updated on any key developments.