Chaos caused by the European Entry and Exit system (EES) and its impact on hauliers was debated in parliament this week, with predictions of 12-hour delays to freight as the holiday season kicks in.
Kent MP Roger Gale demanded to know what measures the government had put in place for hauliers at ports and urged borders minister Alex Norris to approach French authorities and agree a waiver in order to avoid the mayhem experienced over the spring bank holiday.
The EES restricts non-EU nationals to a maximum 90-day stay within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, enforced through mandatory biometric registration, or photos at borders to detect overstayers.
Referring to the May bank holiday, Gale said: “The French authorities were quite simply not prepared or able to implement the facilities properly.
“Based on bookings for the coming season, which starts in 10 days’ time, the authorities are now predicting that there could be 12-hour delays to passengers and therefore to freight, which affects our businesses.
“That is simply not acceptable.”
Dumfries and Galloway MP John Cooper said hauliers in his constituency were heavily reliant on Dover: “Delays, particularly to seafood, are disastrous – the value of the cargo disappears practically overnight,” he pointed out.
Norris said the government was in discussions with the French, “on a daily basis” and added: “This is a complex scheme in operation, and when volumes peak shortly, the fundamental question will be the prioritisation of flow or of compliance with the scheme.
“We are pushing heavily, as we will every day between now and then, to ensure that the French use the flexibilities available to prioritise flow.”
The RHA said MPs were right to call out the flawed EES and that it was unfit for purpose: “Professional coach, van and haulage drivers are some of those most affected by its failings, in addition to those tourists who have faced unacceptable queues at ports and airports,” said trade policy lead Alastair Gunn.
“Inconsistent use of biometric systems is causing significant concern to hauliers worried about their livelihoods, and delays – especially at Calais.”
The Port of Dover warned this week that hauliers could face significant disruption this summer as congestion caused by the EES brings Kent to a standstill.
