MPs Raise Concerns Over Post-Brexit Border Control Delays
Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed doubts about the UK government's preparedness for the implementation of post-Brexit border control checks, scheduled to begin next week. They argue that the scaling back of the initial plans represents a sixth delay to the long-awaited introduction of these checks.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (EFRA) has written to the government demanding clarification on the exact nature of the physical inspections on plant and food products. This request follows reports that these inspections may be significantly reduced due to concerns about potential delays at the border.
The government is scheduled to begin checks on medium and high-risk plant and animal imports from the European Union on Tuesday, as part of its Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) plan. However, a recent report in the Financial Times indicated that large parts of the risk management system for all commodity groups would not be activated initially due to concerns within the government about the readiness of the border systems.
While the government insists that checks will begin, they have acknowledged that some will be delayed. Inspectors will initially focus on the highest-risk products before gradually scaling up to a more comprehensive regime in the future.
Robert Goodwill, the chair of the EFRA committee, has demanded clarity from the government regarding the details of the latest delays and the practical implications of a graduated approach to the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks.
In a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Barclay, Goodwill expressed concerns about the uncertainty and confusion faced by ports and businesses due to the lack of clear communication and consistent implementation of these essential border controls. He emphasized the need for a clearly communicated, phased implementation of SPS checks with distinct and achievable milestones.
Goodwill further expressed concerns that the reported approach may be the result of poor planning and delivery of the model, effectively constituting a sixth delay to the implementation of SPS import checks.