EU food importers say post-Brexit checks could increase their costs by 60%

Companies say £145 charge for goods coming to UK via Dover or Channel tunnel will lead to higher prices

Importers of food from the EU into Britain have said that newly introduced post-Brexit checks could increase their costs by up to 60%, pushing up prices for customers and driving some shops out of business.

After five previous delays, the UK government introduced the physical checks on animal and plant products entering from the EU on Tuesday, having revealed at the start of this month that it would be implementing a common user charge (CUC) of up to £145 a consignment.