Final Border Target Operating Model’s lack of certainty “puts supply chain at risk”, says Logistics UK

A significant change in the final plan is the delay of three months in two of the three key implementation milestones.

Logistics UK had been lobbying for, and welcomes, this delay as members had not been given the information and detail they needed from government to meet the original deadlines.

However, Logistics UK still believes there are important questions that need to be addressed. 

Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade and Devolved Policy at Logistics UK, said: "Logistics UK continues to study this final model carefully to see if it addresses the concerns expressed by our members and what detail and assurances they, and their EU suppliers, still need to make the changes required in this new time frame.

"This three-month delay will give businesses more time, but extra time is of little value if government does not provide businesses with all the necessary technical detail and guidance they need, and in time, to change processes and adapt to meet these new import requirements.  

“More information has been provided in the final model on several issues, including commodity code level confirmation of EU risk categorisation, Transit Movements and Trusted Trader Schemes, and that is welcomed.

"Logistics UK is concerned, however, that clarity is still required on a number of significant issues, including details of how this model will work for the Short Straits which is a critical EU-UK supply route, how it will work for groupage, what government has decided in respect of a Common User Charge at its Border Control Posts, and the assessment of the state of readiness among EU suppliers and veterinary workforce. 

“A major concern for our members throughout this process has been the impact of new import control processes on the cost of doing business, especially for groupage operators, and on wider inflation.

"Logistics UK notes the government’s assessment that the estimated impact of the Border Target Operating Model on food inflation is expected to be less than 0.2% across three years.  

"Given the concerns of our members, Logistics UK reiterates our call on government to publish the modelling used to produce this analysis, as well as modelling on the estimated additional costs to businesses from these new processes.” 

Logistics UK will continue to keep its members up-to-date. 

Published On: 31/08/2023 16:00:05

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