Border Chaos! 'The Current System is Working for Noone,' say Industry Leaders

Trade bodies have voiced increasing frustration over post-Brexit border checks, labelling them costly, cumbersome, and rife with delays. As the Environment Committee investigates the shifting landscape of animal and plant health surveillance, industry representatives expressed serious concerns over the UK's border strategy.

Despite assurances by Lord Frost, Boris Johnson’s former Brexit negotiator, that the UK would boast the "best border in the world by 2025," industry leaders say reality is far from this ambition. Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), sharply criticised the current situation, stating, "Our world-leading border is currently the most expensive and least efficient globally.

"This is a self-imposed crisis creating huge distress and significant additional costs that ultimately consumers must shoulder."

Jenney emphasised that the UK's fresh produce sector, which imports around 65% of its fresh produce and 80% of its flowers, heavily depends on smooth border operations. He expressed frustration that despite substantial investments by the industry, businesses continue to "waste millions annually" due to inefficient border processes.

Nicola Mallon from Logistics UK echoed these concerns, rejecting government claims that current issues are mere "teething problems." Mallon described physical inspections introduced in April last year as "hugely problematic," emphasising that these are "systemic and operational difficulties," not temporary setbacks.

Sally Cullimore of the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) further underlined the severity of the situation, stating, "Our ambition is to balance the free flow of plants and trees with robust biosecurity measures, yet we find ourselves compromised on both fronts.

"Our members feel they’ve lost control of their supply chains, and the current system is working for no one."

Though fruit and vegetable imports have not yet faced full border checks, Jenney voiced deep disappointment at the government's planning.

He pointed out that FPC had proactively proposed more effective, cost-free solutions from the outset, yet many have been ignored or rejected outright.

Jenney further criticised the government’s inadequate communication, adding, "Questions we've been raising for years remain unanswered. Our proactive planning and suggestions have been knowingly ignored."

Summing up the industry's frustration, Carmichael acknowledged sympathetically, "I’m getting the distinct impression that no one feels particularly listened to."