The European Commission has laid out plans to reinforce controls on food, animal and plant products imported into the European Union (EU), in a bid to ensure food safety and the maintenance of a “level playing field” for producers in the bloc.
In an announcement on 9 December, the EU’s executive branch said the measures would include a 50% increase in the number of audits undertaken on non-EU countries across the next two years and a 33% jump in audits of European Border Control Posts.
In addition, there will be closer monitoring of “non-compliant commodities and countries”, with support from the Commission to conduct extra checks. An EU task force focused on improving the efficiency of import controls will also be set up.
The EU uses a range of controls and processes to try and maintain the integrity of agri-food products sold and consumed within its market, including animal welfare and sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
“These requirements are not negotiable and apply to all our trade partners,” the Commission’s statement said. “To verify that imports comply with the EU standards, a robust system of official controls of the agri-food chain exists.”
For SMEs, ensuring compliance with these conditions involves completing the required forms and being prepared to have products examined by officials as and when necessary. The complexities of these processes can often be daunting for exporters, so staying informed about regulatory shifts and key dates is critical.
A major economic and political force, the EU has 27 members and a GDP of nearly €18tn. According to the Commission, agri-food imports grew by 8% to reach €171.8bn in 2024. This jump was underpinned by price increases in cocoa, coffee and fruits and nuts imports. Cumulative agri-food exports rose by 3% to hit €235.4bn.