Foodlaw-Reading Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Food Law News - UK - 2023

DEFRA local authority letter, 29 August 2023

OFFICIAL CONTROLS - UK Border Target Operating Model

The Border Target Operating Model: August 2023 The document can be downloaded from the Cabinet Office web site (click on image)

I wrote to you in April 23 outlining the UK Government’s intention to set out a new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) for import controls and highlighting the publication of the BTOM in draft form [see link to news item below].

This letter sets out the details of the publication of the final BTOM today at a high level and the implementation timeline.

Following the publication of the draft BTOM, the UK Government engaged with Port Health Authorities and wider stakeholders and considering the implementation challenges, raised, as well as the need to manage existing and emerging biosecurity and security threats highlighted, we have made a change to the timeline we originally published in the draft version of the BTOM (see below for more detail). Rest assured that we will engage all impacted PHAs to better understand the impacts of the new timelines set out below.

New Phases of the border TOM Implementation:

• 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. The removal of pre-notification requirements for low-risk plant and plant products from the EU.
• 30 April 2024 - The introduction of 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. Existing inspections of high-risk plants/plant products from the EU will move from destination to Border Control Posts. We will also begin to simplify imports from non-EU countries. This will include the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk animal products, plants, plant products from non-EU countries as well as reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk animal products from non-EU countries.
• 31 October 2024 - The requirement for Safety and Security declarations for imports into Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the waiver applies will come into force from 31 October 2024 as set out in the original Target Operating Model. Alongside this, we will introduce a reduced dataset for imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets – such as pre-lodged customs declarations.

Movements from the Island of Ireland:

For non-qualifying goods, moving from Irish ports to Great Britain, we intend to implement the model through two major milestones:

• 31 January 2024 - The introduction of pre-notification requirements (except for lowrisk plants and plant products) and full customs controls. 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.
• From 31 October 2024 - We will introduce check requirements for EU SPS goods that enter Great Britain via West Coast ports.

As outlined previously, the TOM does not affect arrangements for goods moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. These arrangements are set out under the Windsor Framework agreement. It is important to also note that these changes will not affect the movement of qualifying Northern Ireland goods into Great Britain, which will continue to benefit from unfettered market access.

See previous news item:

• 5 April 2023 OFFICIAL CONTROLS - Food Standards Agency welcomes proposals for new import controls to protect consumers