Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's shoppers face potential new £96 bill from today

Shoppers at major supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Asda could face an additional £96 bill from today, May 1.

Customers of these shops have been alerted to a potential increase in their weekly shopping costs by approximately £8 per month, which equates to just under £96 annually.

This warning also extends to Waitrose customers due to new Brexit regulations.

These new rules will affect meat, fish, dairy products, as well as fruits and vegetables. Goods categorised as 'medium risk' and 'high risk' now require health certificates, which for animal products must be endorsed by a vet to demonstrate they meet UK standards - currently identical to EU standards, Birmingham Live reports.

Food suppliers have warned that these checks will "increase food prices and reduce consumer choice", imposing "impractical" demands on businesses. The Cold Chain Federation has urged the Government to postpone the introduction of these checks once more, with CEO Phil Pluck describing the BTOM as "a broken model".

He stated: "Without listening to the experts, the Government will seriously damage business confidence in the UK and add costs to consumers' weekly shop."

Labour MP Stella Creasy informed the Commons about the "Brexit border tax" that could add £8 a month to the average food shop.

Cabinet Office minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe remarked: "It is essential that we introduce these global, risk-based checks to improve the UK's biosecurity. We cannot continue with temporary measures which leave the UK open to threats from diseases and could do considerable damage to our livelihoods, our economy and our farming industry."

"We have listened to all parts of industry every step of the way and will continue to support them to implement these changes as smoothly as possible."

Sir Mark Spencer conveyed to the MPs on Monday that this was "a small price to pay for making sure that we are safe and protected" and insignificant when compared to the £12 billion cost of a foot and mouth disease outbreak.

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