Transport and logistics trade groups have joined forces to call on the European Commission (EC) to delay enforcement of new biometric border processes.
EU member states will strictly enforce rules limiting UK nationals to 90 days in any 180-day period when its Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully functional on 10 April, affecting third countries including the UK. The biometric border system has been phased in since October.
The group warns that supply chains and jobs are at risk as many UK transport operators who move people and goods across borders won’t have enough drivers once enforcement tightens.
In a letter to Maroš Šefčovič, commissioner for trade and economic security, they called for short-term easements and restated their longer term objective to secure a professional drivers’ exemption.
The trade bodies urge that any fines or punishments for exceeding the 90-day limit are suspended for at least the first two years.
They also call for member state border officials to apply light touch enforcement during times of significant disruption and planned peak times to keep traffic moving.
The development of a pre-registration app for biometric data capture off-site would reduce the time required for data entry at the border, they suggested.
The group reminded the Commissioner that transport-dependent industries in EU member states including event, leisure and tourism will be affected by the increased 90/180 enforcement. The EC acknowledged these challenges in the EU Visa Strategy they published last month.
Richard Smith, RHA managing director, said: “We’ve been very clear that stricter enforcement of the 90/180 rules will put UK transport operators and their customers at home and abroad at risk of insolvency when it starts in April.
“As well as restricting the time British freight drivers and travellers can spend in the EU, the EES requirements could have serious implications on the flow of vehicles through European borders.
“This could be particularly challenging for those ports with juxtaposed controls here in the UK and we need meaningful solutions to ensure trade and passenger movements are not negatively impacted.”
Andrew Large, British Association of Removers director general, said: “The 90/180 rule is having a material impact on removals for both commercial and household customers. BAR urges reform to ensure that this rule does not stifle opportunities for people and companies to move and grow in both the UK and EU.”
Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK chief executive, added: “Our members keep the wheels of commerce and industry moving between the UK and Europe and across the Continent, delivering all that homes, hospitals, factories and schools need every day.
“The EU must recognise the barriers which the 90/180 rule is placing before trade, and find an urgent solution that helps maintain the smooth movement of goods on which we all rely across our highly interconnected supply chain, on both sides of the English Channel.”
Other signatories to the letter include:
Richard Ballantyne, British Ports Association CEO
Tim Doggett, Chemical Business Association CEO
Paul Sanders, Association of Pallet Networks founder and chair
Phil Pluck, Cold Chain Federation CEO
Geraint Evans, UK Major Ports Group CEO
Steve Parker, BIFA director general
Claire Bottle, UKWA chief executive
