The UK Government published the draft version of the Border Target Operating Model in April. This is a guide to its approach and actions pertaining to the 2025 Border Strategy. Below, we delve into what this means and how it impacts you.
The Border Target Operating Model - An Overview:
In its draft stage, the Border Target Operating Model serves as a crucial outline enabling businesses to grasp how the government intends to actualise its 2025 Border Strategy. The model incorporates various control measures designed to safeguard the flow of supplies, ensure food safety, and protect our environment.
The Model’s Implementation Process:
The roll-out of this model will unfold across three distinct stages:
Stage One: Beginning on October 31, 2023, businesses that import European Union products will be required to produce health certificates. This applies to:
- Plants and plant products
- Foods and feeds deemed as 'high risk' originating from non-animal sources
- Animal products categorised as 'minimum risk'
Stage Two: Commencing on January 31, 2024, documentation, identity verification based on risk, and physical checks on EU products will become obligatory. This pertains to:
- Plants and plant products
- Foods and feeds considered 'high risk' that are non-animal in nature
- Animal products labelled as 'medium risk'
Stage Three: Lastly, as of October 31, 2024, imports from the EU will be subject to Safety and Security Declarations (SSDs). Concurrently, the UK Government will implement a slimmed-down import data set, making use of the UK Single Trade Window to eradicate repetitive entries across multiple pre-arrival datasets.
Transportation from Ireland to Great Britain:
The model stipulates that, effective October 31 of the current year, businesses engaging in transport from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain must provide a Goods Movement Reference (GMR).
We encourage you to study this new framework and contribute your valuable feedback and suggestions. Your input is crucial to shaping policies that best serve our collective interests.
You can view the full draft border Target Operating Model document at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-target-operating-model-draft-for-feedback
