New EU Border Checks Could Disrupt UK Food Supply

The UK's Christmas food supply is jeopardized by new EU border checks, effective November 10, that require fingerprint and facial recognition scans for all non-EU passengers entering via Dover. Logistics UK warns that these measures could lead to traffic jams and significant delays, with potential queue lengths extending by 10 miles for every additional minute spent at the border. The Entry/Exit System (EES) could increase processing times from under a minute to up to seven minutes per vehicle, with worst-case scenarios predicting delays of up to 14 hours. This disruption could cost the UK economy £400 million annually, with individual truck delays amounting to £1,100 for a 14-hour hold-up. Nichola Mallon, head of trade at Logistics UK, emphasizes the need for government action to raise public awareness and manage expectations. The situation is critical as Dover and Eurotunnel handle over half of UK trade with continental Europe, particularly during the winter months when food imports peak.