How UK’s new border controls will affect animal and plant imports

Lorries from the continent will be held up for the first time at border control posts around the country for inspections under new checks. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

After more than three years of delays, Tuesday finally sees the introduction of physical checks on animal and plant imports coming into Britain from the EU.

Importers and trade associations have warned that the new bureaucracy could heap significant costs on to importers, resulting in increases to prices on shop shelves.