Kentish Express Ashford & District
Border control plans warning
The clock is ticking: Hauliers say the government is running out of time to get plans in place to check goods heading to Europe
Hauliers have urged the government to step up plans to carry out checks on goods at border control posts amid fears they are running out of time to prepare.
The government has already postponed the introduction of what are known as BCPs twice but insists the new deadline of July will be met. Control posts include a major facility at Sevington, near Ashford, and one at Bastion Point at the White Cliffes Business Park.
Logistics UK, the body that represents hauliers, says companies need to know now which posts they will have to go to so they can make new arrangements, if needed.
Sarah Laouadi, Logistics UK’s Head of International Policy. said: “While the government seems to be confident that all planned Border Control Posts (BCPs) will be built and staffed in time for July - albeit with interim arrangements and temporary facilities in certain cases - our main concern is the lack of details about the type of commodities that will be accepted at each location.
“This is crucial for businesses to rearrange their routes and operations if necessary.
“This information should
be available by now. The operational changes we are talking about cannot be delivered at the last minute.”
Separately, MPs recently warned that rising numbers of people travelling on holidays as Covid restrictions were lifted would add to the potential for delays and disruption around the Channel ports.
The cross-party public accounts select committee warned: “With closer to normal passenger volumes and the EU’s planned introduction of its new Entry and Exit System to enter the EU expected in 2022, there is a risk that it will take longer to process passengers travelling from the UK to the EU. This is
a particular risk at the juxtaposed controls, such as Dover, where EU officials carry out border checks on the UK side of the border and where queues might build up in the UK.”
That fear was echoed by the UK Major Ports Group, which represents 40 ports around the UK. It said there was still no clear plan or estimate of charges for customs and food safety checks at new government-funded border posts.
A government spokesperson said: “Traders have adapted well to the introduction of full customs controls on January 1, with minimal disruption at the border and inbound freight flowing effectively through ports. We are continuing to ensure that businesses get the support they need to trade effectively with Europe and seize new opportunities as we strike trade deals with the world’s fastest growing markets, including one-to-one advice through the free-to-use Export Support Service.”
A statement added that both Sevington and Dover sites were on course to be completed by July.
In the case of Sevington, checks from July would be carried out on products of animal origin and High Risk Food and Feed of Non Animal Origin arriving at Eurotunnel At Dover, works were described as “on track for the facility to be designated and operational from July 1.”
‘The operational changes we are talking about can’t be delivered at the last minute’