A new EU fingerprint scheme might disrupt food deliveries during Christmas, causing concern among experts.
- The introduction of fingerprint and facial recognition for non-EU travellers at Dover may lead to logistical delays.
- Logistics UK warns of potential 14-hour delays costing £1,100 per truck, impacting consumers.
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) could increase car processing times significantly at borders.
- Logistics UK calls for government action to manage public expectations and mitigate disruptions.
The implementation of a new EU fingerprint and facial recognition scheme for non-EU travellers at Dover has raised significant concerns regarding potential disruptions to food deliveries during the Christmas period. This development is primarily aimed at tightening border checks, yet it poses logistical challenges that cannot be overlooked.
According to Logistics UK, a reputable trade group, the scheme could lead to substantial delays and interruptions in the flow of goods. The anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES), set to roll out on 10 November, could extend the processing time for vehicles. Studies suggest that the processing duration for a car with a family of four could potentially increase from less than a minute to seven minutes, exacerbating already existing border queues.
Further research from Imperial College London highlights the potentially severe effects of these delays. Their findings indicate that every additional minute spent at border checks could add approximately ten miles to traffic queues, thereby exacerbating congestion and making the logistics chain more unpredictable.
In financial terms, the ramifications are considerable. Logistics UK estimates that the cost of these delays amounts to £1.30 per minute, equating to an additional £1,100 per truck for a 14-hour delay. Such costs are likely to be transferred to consumers, thereby increasing prices, particularly for imported goods heavily relied upon during winter months.
Amidst these concerns, Nichola Mallon, head of trade at Logistics UK, stressed the unavoidable impact on the supply chain should the EES plan proceed as scheduled. While most truck drivers are EU nationals and exempt from these checks, any resultant delays affecting passenger vehicles could create substantial backlog, effectively forcing lorries to queue for extended periods on major routes such as the M2.
Given the potential repercussions, Logistics UK is advocating for a nationwide awareness campaign. The group believes that the government must lead efforts to inform the public, manage their expectations, and provide clear guidance on navigating this new system. Such measures are deemed essential to minimise disruption and ensure smoother transitions during this critical period.
The introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System poses significant challenges to logistics and requires coordinated efforts to mitigate potential impacts.
