Upcoming EU border rules, effective November 10, could significantly impact Christmas food supplies in the UK.
- These rules involve the Entry/Exit System (EES) mandating biometric checks for non-EU passengers at Dover, delaying transport.
- Logistics UK cautions that the new system could extend vehicle processing times, causing severe queues up to 14 hours.
- Research estimates substantial economic impact due to delays, potentially costing the UK economy £400 million annually.
- Proactive measures, including public awareness and infrastructure upgrades, are urged to manage expected disruptions.
The European Union’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), to be implemented on November 10, 2024, requires fingerprint and facial recognition checks for all non-EU passengers at Dover. Logistics UK alerts that these stipulations could lead to significant disruptions in transporting goods, threatening the seamless movement of items as crucial as festive food supplies. The new requirements are expected to considerably amplify the processing time for vehicles crossing the border. A car previously processed in under one minute may now take up to seven minutes. Furthermore, a study from Imperial College London suggests that each additional minute of processing could extend queues by approximately 10 miles, with severe delays projected to last up to 14 hours as outlined by Ashford Council’s evidence to Parliament earlier this year.
The potential ramifications extend across Britain’s logistics network, including road, rail, and marine transport sectors, particularly during the critical “food shoulder” period when dependence on imported goods heightens. Last year, over half of the UK’s trade with Europe, consisting majorly of meats, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, passed through Dover and Eurotunnel corridors that will be impacted by these new checks.
Although EU-national truck drivers will be exempt from biometric checks, the expected delays in car traffic are likely to result in long lorry queues. This congestion would primarily affect UK exports, including seafood and other perishable items highly contingent on timely delivery.
Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade at Logistics UK, underscores the necessity for a nationwide public awareness campaign to preemptively address the complications poised by the EES. The organization advocates for clear guidance from the UK Government and contingency plans, such as restricting biometric checks in case of system failures. Logistics UK estimates that the border delays could cost approximately £1.30 per minute per truck, with extensive 14-hour hold-ups potentially incurring an incremental cost of £1,100 per vehicle, inevitably transferred to consumers. An average delay of 90 minutes per trip risks costing the UK economy an estimated £400 million annually.
The UK Government has allocated £10.5 million towards EES preparations, focusing primarily on infrastructure enhancements at key border points like Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel. Nevertheless, these funds principally address facility expansions and do not directly mitigate prospective EES-induced delays. Effective public communication and awareness initiatives, using diverse channels such as social media, are critical. Even though Eurostar plans its campaign to facilitate passengers navigating the EES, the urgency remains to avert any supply chain disruptions in the lead-up to the holiday season.
Immediate and comprehensive measures are essential to minimize disruptions to the UK’s supply chain this Christmas.
