It’s been over six weeks since the introduction of the second phase of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). Teething problems are still in evidence as hauliers report unprecedented wait times and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issues reminders to traders on correct practice.
Defra updates
In recent update following the introduction of inspections for medium-risk plants and animal products, Defra has advised traders sending goods to consider their choice of border control post (BCP).
The department reminded traders that “consignments need to enter GB at a point of entry with an appropriately designated BCP”.
It also said that traders need to send goods to the same BCP they nominated in the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) that accompanies medium-risk and high-risk goods.
“Traders cannot select a BCP location in their CHED notification and have their consignment first enter GB at a different location.”
This can become a problem when traders select a BCP that is not equipped to process their type of good. A full list of BCPs can be found here.
Fish confusion
Although wild fish products landed in EU ports are categorised as low risk, they must still be moved through “an approved establishment” ahead of UK export, otherwise they require a health certificate.
Any fish susceptible to histamine formation – which can poison the consumer, leaving them with symptoms similar to an allergic reaction – will be placed in the medium-risk category. This means they will require corresponding documentation and an export health certificate (EHC), regardless of their origin or whether they’re shelf-stable.
Defra is allowing a three-month grace period (ending 15 August) for EU exporters of medium-risk fishery products to adapt and begin submitting EHCs. This leeway does not extend to non-EU fishery products or those imported into the EU from non-EU countries.
Border post backlash
The Guardian reports that Dutch lorry drivers could refuse UK deliveries following a barrage of complaints about conditions and processes at BCPs.
Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), a trade body which represents roughly 5,000 transport companies, said that its members reported average waits of four hours at facilities at Sevington, the government-run facility that serves the Port of Dover, with some delayed for as long as 20 hours.
In addition to concerns about the conditions for drivers, with Sevington’s waiting room containing nothing but a water cooler and nowhere to buy food, problems have also arisen with border processes.
In its update, Defra reminded hauliers not to take breaks as Sevington, which “has basic comfort facilities for drivers but is not designed as an official rest area/truck stop”.
In the instance that a driver is only two hours away from requiring a legally-mandated driving break, Defra suggested:
“[Drivers] should aim to take their mandatory rest break (tacho break) at the nearest rest area/truck stop or suitable and safe place BEFORE taking their load to Sevington for checks.”
Poor processing
One TLN member said that a shipment of plants worth £34,000 had been rejected due to damage sustained during the BCP inspection process.
Away from Sevington, other TLN members called for private BCPs to be more up-front about the costs associated with inspections. Some reported receiving bills as high as £800 following a delivery, with no explanation as to which checks were carried out to generate such a high fee.
Netherlands is the one of the world’s largest plant and flower exporters and the leading supplier to developed nations. The UK is the second-biggest importers of cut flowers from the Netherlands, after Germany.
Defra said that it’s been working to ensure checks are completed efficiently and that this is its priority.
‘Surreal’
The 20-hour delays reported by TLN look paltry compared to one Italian haulier’s experience – Antonio Soprano, who works for Marini, was held at Sevington for 55 hours as he delivered plants from Italian suppliers to UK customers.
His lorry was held when officials became concerned that 10 Portuguese laurel plants – large shrubs that produce small flowers – could contain pests.
Soprano told the Guardian:
“I understand they need to do the controls but this behaviour is not normal, it was a mess. I don’t know why we had to wait for so long.”
The company’s chief executive, Vincenzo Marini, described Soprano’s experience as “surreal”, saying that new BTOM rules had made sending goods to the UK more difficult. Despite transporting goods to the UK since the 1980s, Marini may stop delivering to the UK.
Defra explained that the lorry arrived without a load plan and issues with the way goods were loaded meant extra measures were required.