After delays to BTOM in 2024, we are still eagerly anticipating the full implementation of new border controls for importing products of animal origin.
Controlling goods from the EU has proven to be more difficult than anticipated and we have encountered many challenges implementing the first stages of border control rules, despite all the preparations.
Import Border Control Challenges
EU free movement presents the challenges of disease outbreaks in different member states. It poses higher risks as goods exported from a non-affected area may have originated from a restricted region. This situation doesn’t help with the requirement introduced in 2024 for some EU products to be presented with a health certificate, making its completion complicated and sometimes incorrect.
With the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Germany, these challenges will only increase, with Portal Official Veterinarians needing to conduct additional checks in line with the guidance from Defra. As well as checking products imported directly from Germany, we also need to be alert and scrutinise documents from other member states that might have sourced raw materials from Germany. This creates further pressure at our borders but is necessary for ensuring we prevent FMD entering the UK.
Another issue has been the incorrect categorisation of goods, caused by a lack of understanding, which necessitates additional checks by border control teams at the port of entry. These complexities and sheer product volumes have resulted in a high demand for appropriately trained and qualified staff.
It is essential to understand border control checks are not simply a paper exercise and require an understanding of the public and animal health implications behind the attestations on health certificates and other import conditions for both products of animal origin for human consumption and animal by-products.
Portal Official Veterinarians
Introducing new border checks has placed greater importance on the role of Portal Official Veterinarians (OVs) for these critical inspections to maintain food safety. Due to the high volume of food imports, there have been calls from some areas to delegate checks currently reserved for Portal OVs.
We understand that this call has been prompted by a perceived shortage of correctly trained veterinarians, however there are more than enough Portal OVs to conduct these checks, with E&J having a ready resource of OVs available nationwide. We currently support 18 Border Control Posts (BCPs) around the UK and have enough experienced professionals to support all BCPs if required.
Delegating these checks would require specialist training in animal health and animal by-products, which still couldn’t adequately replace the years of knowledge qualified veterinarians have. It is far safer to keep these inspections in the hands of veterinary professionals to ensure controls remain as robust as possible, especially considering the recent African Swine Flu and Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks.
Portal OVs have to make demanding technical decisions and ensure consignments comply with the principles of certification to submit documentation confidently.
E&J advocates maintaining the role of the Official Veterinarian as it brings consistency, professionalism, and effectiveness to the whole Port Health service.
For more about our Portal Inspection Services, head to: Portal Inspection – E&J