Business, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


Seafrigo boss predicts bedlam at the border

[ May 21, 2025   //   ]

Chief executive of perishables logistics operator PML Seafrigo, Mike Parr said the Prime Minister’s EU reset announcement on 19 May “makes a mockery of the last nine years”. Businesses in the fresh produce supply chain have put a huge amount of time, effort and significant financial investment to establish appropriate protocols within the new Brexit trading landscape

“Many companies – including PML Seafrigo – have worked tirelessly to try and remain ahead of the curve and to be ‘Brexit fit’. In our case, we went as far as investing in a transport and logistics hub with remote HMRC / Defra approved Border Control Post status to enable a faster transit of consignments out of the Port of Dover.”

Just two weeks ago, discussions were held on the much-anticipated plant health border checks, due to commence 1 July. Then, Defra under-secretary Baroness Hayman insisted there was to be no easement on the deadline and that the new checks would be rolled out, despite Sevington’s inability to cope with the required inspections. The industry also voiced concerns regarding the absence of a definitive list s of Medium Risk produce, the lack of clarity on the Common User Charge and the unacceptably long evaluation of the pilot Authorised Operator scheme.

Parr said: “And now the Prime Minister has acted unilaterally to reset the rules, without consulting the nation. Whatever your political persuasion, the fact remains that Brexit was the choice of the UK population, this maverick behaviour is inconsistent with the notion that Britain is a democracy.

“True to form, there is no firm guidance to those affected most, no specific timings on when the new SPS protocol will start which will cause further bedlam at the border. In the absence of clear guidance, do we default to the original BTOM plans due to come into effect on 1July or are we able to kickstart the Authorised Operator Status scheme? Is the government planning to rollout official inspections throughout a 24/7 window? No thought has been given to the negative impact of inspection checks for non-EU fresh produce, which as Nigel Jenney, chief executive at the Fresh Produce Consortium correctly states accounts for 50% of fresh produce imports. We’ve forged excellent working relationships with non-EU suppliers to maintain the year-round supply of produce. How can it be fair to now penalise those that have helped us simply because the government has failed miserably in its attempt to deliver on a cohesive border strategy? And has the government given any thought as to how businesses might be reimbursed for all the time and money spent on working towards the original Brexit plan?”

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