This article explores how upcoming EU border regulations might affect food deliveries during the Christmas period.
- The new fingerprint scheme for border checks could increase processing times significantly.
- Logistics UK is concerned about potential disruptions to the supply chain.
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) may result in prolonged vehicle queues at Dover.
- Additional costs from delays could be passed on to consumers.
A directive introduced by the EU aims to implement stricter border control measures, including fingerprint and facial recognition checks for non-EU travellers at ports such as Dover. This change is intended to enhance security but has raised concerns about its timing and potential effects, especially with the busy Christmas season approaching.
According to Logistics UK, the implementation of the new border rules could result in substantial delays in delivery schedules. The group highlighted that processing a car with a family of four could extend from under a minute to approximately seven minutes. Such delays are predicted to cause significant queuing, potentially stretching queues by an additional ten miles for every extra minute of processing time, as suggested by research conducted by Imperial College London.
Nichola Mallon, a representative from Logistics UK, stated that while the majority of truck drivers are EU nationals and therefore exempt from the scans, the ripple effect caused by delays to other traffic is expected to result in lorries being queued for extended periods on motorways like the M2. She also stressed the need for a public awareness campaign to inform the public and manage their expectations regarding these changes.
With the onset of winter, the UK’s dependence on imported fresh produce heightens, making any potential interruptions in the transport of goods particularly worrying. Logistics UK warned that the new Entry/Exit System’s operational costs could reach £1.30 per minute of delay, summing up to an additional £1,100 for a 14-hour delay per truck. As a consequence, these costs might eventually be transferred to consumers, thereby increasing the price of goods.
In response to these concerns, the government has been urged to spearhead efforts in raising public awareness and providing guidance to minimise the adverse impacts on both the public and the supply chain sector.
The introduction of these EU border rules poses a real challenge to the timely delivery of goods ahead of Christmas, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate its effects.
