FOLKESTONE, England (CU)_Since the United Kingdom withdrew its membership of the European Union a couple of years ago, customs and regulatory controls at Britain’s borders have been one of the most contentious issues that were subjected to lengthy discussions between the parties. In July this year, physical checks on fresh food and plants entering the UK from the 27-member bloc were due to begin. However, Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg confirmed in a written statement on Thursday that they have been pushed back to the end of 2023, and the move does not appear to sit well with some of the biggest seaports in the country.
As the import checks are being delayed for a fourth time in two years, several ports un the UK fear the border control posts that were recently set up may never be used. Accordingly, they are considering legal action against the government to recover the costs that were incurred to build these inspection posts.
The decision to delay the implementation of the controls would mean that Britain would continue to rely on the EU to monitor food and plant safety. Meanwhile, the British Ports Association (BPA) is concerned that the expensive border posts, which were subsidised with taxpayer money worth £200 million, may never be used. If this was the case, the group said its members intend to ask permission from the government to bulldoze the new buildings.
According to BPA’s chief executive Richard Ballantyne, following Brexit, ports had rushed to get the required infrastructure ready on time. “This announcement is a major policy change, meaning the facilities will effectively become white elephants, wasting millions of pounds of public and private funding,” he added.
This week, Minister Rees-Mogg conceded that money had been spent on the border control facilities that may no longer be needed. “I do accept that some money was spent in preparation for 1st July which won’t now be needed, but the ports will benefit, as they are saying at Eurotunnel, from the easing of flow,” he said during a tour of Eurotunnel’s Folkestone facilities on Thursday.
