A new scheme could cause significant disruptions in Christmas food deliveries due to tighter EU border checks.
- Facial recognition and fingerprint checks at Dover may lead to substantial congestion according to Logistics UK.
- The Entry/Exit System, set to begin on 10 November, may add considerable delay per vehicle processed, affecting supply chains.
- Dover and Eurotunnel, crucial for UK trade with Europe, could face severe delays impacting imported food products.
- Additional costs from border delays might ultimately increase consumer prices.
The introduction of a new EU border scheme poses potential disruptions to Christmas food deliveries. The scheme requires facial recognition and fingerprint checks for all non-EU passengers at Dover, potentially causing congestion and disrupting the flow of goods, as warned by a trade group.
Logistics UK has expressed concerns that the upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled to roll out on 10 November, might significantly disrupt supply chains. Calculations from Imperial College London indicate that each additional minute it takes to process a vehicle could elongate queues by roughly 10 miles. Ashford council’s evidence to parliament suggests that in the worst-case scenario, this could result in passenger delays of up to 14 hours.
With Britain entering winter, the country becomes more reliant on imported goods. Last year, statistics showed that 54% of all UK trade with continental Europe passed through Dover and the Eurotunnel, with imports comprising meat, vegetable, fruit, dairy, honey, and eggs. Logistics UK is advocating for a nationwide publicity campaign to prevent expected disruptions.
Logistics UK has also highlighted the financial implications of potential delays. It estimates border-processing delays could cost £1.30 per minute, potentially adding £1,100 of extra costs per truck during 14-hour delays. These costs are anticipated to be transferred to consumers.
Nichola Mallon, the head of trade for Logistics UK, articulated the gravity of the situation by stating, “If the EES is implemented as planned, I’m afraid we’re facing huge upheaval in the supply chain.” Mallon urged the government to take immediate action to raise public awareness, manage expectations, and provide guidance.
The introduction of the new EU border checks could pose significant challenges to the UK’s food supply chain during the critical Christmas season.
