Consultation launched on proposed inspection charges at UK border control posts

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12/06/2023

PRESS RELEASE

The four-week consultation will invite industry views on the introduction of charges for commercial plant, plant products and animal imports from the EU from next year to support the introduction of robust biosecurity measures
The consultation aims to ensure a fair and proportionate approach to a future charging system at government-run Border Control Posts, whilst keeping the UK safe from threats like African Swine Fever
The proposed range of checks will strengthen the UK’s domestic biosecurity and protect UK producers and consumers from dangerous and costly disease outbreaks

A consultation on proposals to introduce charges at government-run Border Control Posts (BCPs) in England was launched today (12 June). This is ahead of the planned implementation of full animal and plant health checks on commercial EU imports from 31 January 2024 to protect our borders.

Strong import controls are fundamental to ensure that we can protect the UK’s food supply chain, our food and farming industries, and our natural environment from biosecurity risks. Failing to do this risks a much bigger impact for people later – for instance, losing the ability to export pork due to African Swine Fever would cost the economy £567 million.

Starting next year, documentary, risk-based identity and physical checks will therefore be introduced on some commercial goods arriving from the EU. Products including medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products, and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin could all be selected for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks. These checks will take place at BCPs. Inspections of live animals from the EU will continue at destination until there is infrastructure in place to facilitate checks at government-run BCPs. The details of new regulations and procedures were laid out in the draft Border Target Operating Model, published in April this year. The draft also outlined a new risk-based categorisation system for imports, ensuring a targeted approach which minimises the need for unnecessary checks.

Defra is consulting on a Common User Charge to recover the operational costs of BCPs run by the Government in England. The UK Government is working closely with the Devolved Governments on charging policy and is working towards extending these arrangements to cover other government-run BCPs within Great Britain in the future. The flat rate charge would be levied on every consignment eligible for SPS checks entering Great Britain through the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. This charging model is designed to keep costs as low as possible, minimise impact across all businesses and to ensure that small businesses are not disproportionately affected. Charges would only be applicable for BCPs run by the Government as privately-run BCPs will set their own charges to cover inspection costs.

The proposed implementation date for the Common User Charge is April 2024 and the consultation welcomes feedback on this date. We are aware that businesses face a range of global supply chain pressures and will therefore consider the implementation date in light of broader economic conditions.

Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon said:

“Biosecurity controls on goods imported into the UK are vital to safeguard and improve our high biosecurity standards. Through this consultation, we can ensure that a fair and proportionate approach to BCP charging is taken.”

The consultation will run for four weeks and seek views on a range of measures, including the methodology of the charging scheme, as well as the price of the charge and any potential discounts for lower-risk products. Defra welcomes feedback on the impacts of the proposal on businesses of all sizes and operating models as well as on the proposed implementation date for the Common User Charge. The consultation will run until 9 July: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/charging-arrangements-at-government-run-border-control-posts.