X-twitter Linkedin-in Youtube

Post-Brexit port health border disruption still a major concern for British ports

Responding to the publication of the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on ‘Brexit: Trade in Food’, the British Ports Association warned that without agreements on cross-border environmental health standards there could be major disruption at UK and EU ports. The report suggested that changes in UK-EU trade arrangements could lead to serious disruption for food supply chains and Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said:
“Perhaps one of the biggest Brexit challenges ports could face is accommodating new environmental health standards inspections at the border. As the report highlights, delays resulting from inspections at border would lead to increased costs, creating congestion and particular issues for perishable goods. Any Brexit trade deal must include an agreement to overcome the need for such inspections.”
Under present rules, animal and plant products entering the UK and the EU from a third country can require documentary, identity or physical inspections. These port health checks are conducted at a specially designated and designed Border Inspection Posts, carried out by qualified veterinary officers, employed by local authorities. As a result of the UK’s membership of the EU, in recent years food and agricultural products have not been subject to port health controls. However when the UK leaves the EU, under present rules, infrastructure for costly Border Inspection Posts would need to be installed at a range of UK ports. Much of the UK’s trade with the EU is facilitated via HGVs through Roll-on Roll-off ferry terminals, virtually all of which do not have suitable third country port health inspection infrastructure.
Ballantyne continued:
“Post Brexit, new port health border requirements could be a serious problem for a variety of ports, particularly at Roll-on Roll-off ferry ports.  Under present EU rules, plant and animal products could be subject to a hugely disruptive inspection regime at the border. To require lorries to stop and undergo time consuming inspections at ports would lead to significant disruption at the border and create congestion around ports. We have had several meetings with Defra who will set the policy for port health inspections in the UK post Brexit, but for traffic leaving the UK there could still be issues at EU ports and it will be important for the Brexit negotiators not to ignore this rather technical but very important aspect of trade policy in their discussions.”

About Logistics Buyer

International Logistics Buyer is the leading authority in global logistics and supply chain content, delivering expert news, in depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the logistics sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Joseph Clarke image - Intrade Magazine

Joseph Clarke

EDITOR

Phone-volume Envelope
Chris Lingham image - Fire Buyer

Chris Lingham

Group Sales Manager

Phone-volume Envelope
Afua Akoto picture - Fire Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Phone-volume Envelope

Read the Latest Issue

Logistics Buyer Magazine Mockup

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

BPA Conference

BPA Conference 2023 opportunities open

, , , ,
Read More

Port of Hamburg striking growth

, ,
Port of Hamburg shows growth rate. For Germany’s largest universal port, seaborne cargo handling in the first nine months of 2019
Read More
Business people shaking hands.

Black Friday operations

, ,
The immense volume of deliveries passing through the logistics network over black friday creates an extreme peak season for all supply chain stakeholders
Read More

Optimising Export Finance efficiency with the addition of Credit Insurance

,
Fineon Exchange (Fineon), the go-to online marketplace platform for export finance, today announced the appointment of Aon Credit Solutions (Aon)
Read More
Brexit

Brexit deadline extension will relieve pressure on UK logistics sector, says industry chief 

,
Read More
brexit

Are you Brexit ready? 5 things you need to know about import-export procedures

, ,
It is likely that over the next few weeks, Britain will leave the European Union.
Read More

Mega Deal Season: a warehousing nightmare? Or is it time to wake up?

,
Autumn has traditionally seen a fight over temporary warehouse space as retail supply chains build up stocks in anticipation of Christmas.
Read More
EU

Re-export of US goods in the UK and European market

,
Exports are defined as goods and services that are produced in one country and purchased in another.
Read More
warehouse

Five tips for preparing your warehouse ahead of Black Friday

, , ,
Black Friday is one of the most important dates in the retail calendar, with slashed prices sending customers into a frenzy to grab the latest deals.
Read More
dascher

Edoardo Podestá takes the helm of Dachser Air & Sea Logistics

,
Read More
Scroll to Top