Implementation dialogue on import controls with Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi

The Implementation Dialogue on Import Controls was held in Brussels on 9 December 2025 with the participation of stakeholders representing businesses and civil society.

The dialogue aimed to gather feedback from stakeholders on the main challenges faced in the implementation of EU rules on import controls and their ideas on how to overcome them, while still maintaining a high level of protection of public, animal and plant health, as well as of animal welfare. At the same time, it aimed to obtain views on how innovation and new technologies can help reducing administrative burden, simplify procedures, increase efficiency and contribute to greater competitiveness.

The discussion highlighted a broad agreement on the need for food, animals and plants imported into the EU to comply with the same safety requirements as those produced within the EU. There is a consensus that safety of imports is non-negotiable.

Most participants stressed the need to strengthen on-the-spot controls in third countries, particularly to verify compliance with EU requirements that are more effectively checked at the origin, such as animal welfare conditions or the use of prohibited pesticides and veterinary medicines. Reliable guarantees from third countries are generally perceived as essential both to prevent the export of non-compliant goods to the EU and to mitigate the negative impact of border rejections.

Additionally, several participants raised concern about the need for access to detailed information on the compliance levels of third countries and their operators, to ensure that imports are sourced from reliable origins.

Uniform and efficient implementation of EU rules on import controls across Member States was acknowledged as a key factor in ensuring fair competition between EU companies. Efficient, risk-based import controls are essential to safeguard safety while maintaining competitiveness, particularly for time-sensitive perishable goods. 

Participants also emphasised the need for appropriate resources, speedy procedures and the potential of digitalisation in enabling faster, more targeted risk-based import controls, facilitating the border crossing of compliant goods, and allowing for a more efficient allocation of public resources.

Commissioner Várhelyi concluded that the Dialogue provided a good overview of the challenges that companies are currently facing as well as expectations from civil society. He announced that the issues raised will be considered within a dedicated task force to be established in early 2026. It will aim at further strengthening import controls, including on-the-spot controls in third countries, ensuring that EU citizens continue to benefit from the highest levels of food safety while EU producers enjoy a level playing field vis-à-vis their global competitors.

For more information on EU official controls, see:

• Official controls and enforcement - Food Safety
• Implementation Dialogues

Documents

• List of participants