Border Target Operating Model

The government has announced another delay to the introduction of post-Brexit border controls on EU goods entering Britain.

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) includes the UK’s plan for introducing a “simplified and digitised” approach to implementing controls, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on agrifood products.

In a statement  on 29 August, the government confirmed that proposed border checks on live animals, animal products, plants and plants products would be delayed by three months and will now come into effect from 31 January 2024 onwards.

The original checks were supposed to come into force in 2021, but have been delayed five times due to the pressures businesses have faced as a result of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

BTOM

A draft of BTOM – which includes a risk-based approach to conducting SPS checks – was published in the spring.

Under the plan, SPS goods will be sorted into three categories – ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ – which will determine the level of checks and documentation that will to enter Great Britain.

The government was expected to publish the final version of BTOM earlier in the summer, with the first new checks due for introduction from the end of October onwards.

Wider picture

The government says that the most recent delay was due to industry feedback and hopes that the additional three months will give traders more time to prepare for the new checks.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Cabinet Office minister, said:

“By making maximum use of data and new technologies, our innovative yet risk-based approach is key to delivering a world-class border system.

“Once fully implemented, these important post-Brexit measures will, I believe, bring considerable benefits to the UK economy and to UK trade, and the government stands ready to support businesses through this transition.”

Digital approach

The government says the new model will lead to controls being “simplified and digitised” and is complemented by its “ambitions for the UK’s new Single Trade Window” to be introduced in the coming months.

The model also coincides with the passing into law of the Electronic Trade Documents Act, which enters into force on 20 September 2023.

New timeline

The government has announced the new timeline as follows:

• 31 January 2024 - The introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU
• 30 April 2024 – New documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU
• 31 October 2024 - New safety and security declarations for EU imports will come into force

Reaction

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses will be pleased with this clarity as they prepare for the challenging shift to a digital trade system. The focus must now be on delivering the Single Trade Window to the timescales set out. The new approach to digitalising borders for goods movements could bring real benefits to the SMEs we represent, to trade, and to the economy.

“The critical thing is preparedness. Businesses are making investment and supply chain decisions for the long term and need to be confident that the physical and digital infrastructure around the GB border is going to be in place on time.”