Stick to new deadline for import border controls, Logistics UK urges government

Tuesday 14 September 2021

Business group Logistics UK has urged the government to prioritise work towards a sustainable solution to post Brexit import formalities to provide certainty for business. The call comes following the announcement that the introduction of health certification of imported products of animal origin (which include many food and drink items) has been pushed back from 1 October 2021 to July 2022.  

As Sarah Laouadi, Head of International Policy at the organisation explains, its members have already worked towards two deadlines for the introduction of these formalities, and more delays heaps additional work to an industry already working at full stretch: 

“The government has rightly identified some of the challenges currently facing the logistics industry, from the lasting impact of the pandemic to increasing maritime transport costs. These, as well as the driver shortage, require vigorous and urgent attention.  However, this second change of plan for import controls will add to the uncertainty and creates extra re-adjustment costs for the logistics industry.  While there is relief in some quarters at the provision of additional time to prepare for new border processes, another deferment will cause instability for businesses already stretched by the impact of Covid-19. It also penalises those companies that invested time and money to progress their readiness journey as much as possible; these businesses now need the Government to confirm the last details about border facilities and systems to be able to complete the crucial “last mile” of their journey. 

“What our industry needs from government is a guarantee that this new timetable will be adhered to, and that the border control posts required for physical checks that have just been postponed to July 2022 will be in place, with sufficient resources and political commitment to make it credible. The UK’s supply chain with the EU is highly interconnected but it will be impossible to convince our European supply chain partners to do their part if the target they are aiming for is constantly changing.” 

At the time of the first postponement of these controls, Logistics UK called on government to use the additional time available to best effect and provide business with the certainty it needs to plan its supply chains effectively.  

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.