The “lack of an appropriate regime” for establishing the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) could pose an “existential risk facing critical supply chains, businesses, communities, and the tourism economy of nations on both sides of the Channel”, according to the Port of Dover and ferry companies. Now, however, it could be set to be delayed again.
The BBC reported yesterday that the European Commission has admitted the possibility of a further delay from the current November date previously set for the system’s introduction.
Delays ‘cannot be completely excluded’
The EES will require those travelling from the UK to the EU to submit face and fingerprint scans to enter the bloc and was due to enter operation on 10 November. A European Commission spokesperson has now said, however, that “the implementation of a system like EES is a complex operation and delays cannot be completely excluded”.
The Port of Dover has yet to receive the technology it says is required to perform the checks, however, which include tablet computers passengers will use to complete the face and fingerprint scans. The port is also continuing work on kiosks to be used by coach passengers.
Remarking on the reports, the UK government said that it is “working with the European Commission, France and the local authorities to ensure we are prepared”.
Haulage effect
There have been fears in some quarters that the new system could impact the haulage and freight industries, with knock-on effects on supply chains.
Trans.info reported in August that the British International Freight Association (BIFA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) had called on their memberships to answer a survey on the system “in order to demonstrate to government the level of impact this will have on UK exports and coach travel”.
“As any change in this area will necessitate renegotiation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, it is only through demonstrating a significant impact to the UK economy will we have any chance of convincing the government to pursue a solution.
“Therefore, we need as many businesses who drive in the EU as possible to complete the survey.”
Supply chains
The Port of Dover and ferry companies including Irish Ferries and P&O said the effect on the industry, which supports exports through tourism, could be “severe”, while Sir William Cash, former chair of the European Scrutiny Committee, said the written evidence the port and ferry firms had submitted to them “paints an alarming picture”.
Earlier in the year, Josh Fenton, policy manager for trade, customs and borders at Logistics UK, said EES posed significant risks for supply chains.
“Logistics UK is concerned that EES in its current form, if implemented, will cause friction, disruption and delays for UK and EU freight utilising gateways with juxtaposed borders with significant negative consequences for logistics operators, supply chains and UK and EU economies.”