Janice R. Andrews
Concerns about Britain’s Brexit border arrangements have been expressed by businesses, as the introduction of EU import duties encounters yet another obstacle. The business community was shocked to learn that the commencement of checks on EU imports, which was supposed to take place on April 30, had been postponed.
At government border control checkpoints, post-Brexit regulations require stringent inspections of EU goods, especially those containing meat, dairy, and plant products. But because of the delay in starting these inspections, business leaders are describing the border plans as being in “complete disarray.”
Trade associations are finding it “incredibly challenging” to conduct commercial operations due to the uncertainty surrounding the check timing. Serious worries are expressed over the government’s readiness to implement the new system, raising many unanswered questions.
According to the Financial Times, the decision to postpone the checks is due to border systems’ lack of preparation. Though the government has stated that inspections will start on April 30, the emphasis of the initial inspections will be on higher-risk products, and the scope of the inspections will be gradually expanded.
Since the original implementation date of July 2021, there have been five postponements prior to this most recent one. In order to facilitate business preparations, Phil Pluck, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, underlined the pressing need for clarity on the phased approach and a specific schedule.
The Federation of Small Businesses’ chair, Martin McTague, berated the system’s ambiguity, calling it “complete disarray,” and leaving businesses to interpret unclear signals from Whitehall.
The British Meat Processors Association’s Nan Jones raised worries about the high rates of paperwork errors made by importers and issued a warning about possible line-ups at border control points if checks are implemented.
Businesses bemoan the lack of transparency in the government’s regime, noting unsolved concerns with border control station designation and delays in posting pricing for goods, even with just 11 days left till implementation.
The executive director of the Cold Chain Federation, Tom Southall, highlighted the gravity of the situation with the deadline looming and voiced his disbelief at the continued hold-ups in formal BCP designation.
Similar remarks were made by Marco Forgione of the Institute of Export and International Trade, who emphasized the general unease that businesses on both sides of the Channel are experiencing.
A representative for the UK government responded by defending their interactions with companies and expressing confidence in their ability to manage the necessary checks at all points of entry.
Businesses are faced with a multitude of uncertainties as Brexit border plans meet additional disruptions, casting severe doubt on the preparedness of the UK’s post-Brexit trade infrastructure.
