Christmas deliveries face potential delays as new EU border checks are introduced, impacting food supply and costs.
- The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will require biometric checks at borders, potentially causing congestion at ports like Dover.
- Logistics UK raises concerns about disruptions to the supply chain, affecting key imports during the festive season.
- Imperial College research highlights the risk of lengthy queues and delays, adding significant costs to transportation.
- Efforts are urged to manage public expectations and minimise disruption during the transition period.
A recent warning by a trade group indicates that food deliveries this Christmas might encounter substantial disruptions due to newly implemented EU border checks. The upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), slated for introduction on 10 November, necessitates facial recognition and fingerprint checks for all non-EU passengers at borders, notably including the busy Dover port.
Predictive analysis from Imperial College London underscores that each additional minute spent processing a vehicle could escalate queue lengths by approximately 10 miles, potentially leading to severe delays. This situation was echoed in evidence presented to parliament by Ashford council, cautioning that in critical scenarios, passengers might experience delays extending up to 14 hours.
Given the pivotal role that Dover and the Eurotunnel play in UK trade with Europe, handling over half of such exchanges, the implications of these delays are significant. The anticipated disruptions stand to impact the importation of vital food products such as meat, vegetables, and dairy, which are essential during the winter months when local production decreases.
The financial ramifications of these potential disruptions are accentuated by estimates from the trade group, which project that each minute of delay at the border could incur costs amounting to £1.30. For delays extending to 14 hours, the consequent expense per truck could reach £1,100, inevitably transferring these costs to the consumer, consequently raising the price of goods.
Logistics UK has vocalised the necessity for government intervention, urging a proactive public information campaign to anticipate and manage the expected upheaval. Nichola Mallon, head of trade at Logistics UK, declared to The Telegraph that without such measures, significant disruptions in the supply chain are likely, emphasising the need for governmental leadership in this challenging transition.
The introduction of the EES poses a considerable challenge to maintaining seamless supply chains during the high-demand Christmas season.
