The pilot of the new ALV (Automatic License Verification) system for imports of fresh produce, being implemented by the cross-government International Trade Single Window (ITSW) Project, is drawing to a close after 5 months.
Plans are now being prepared for a phased roll out so that by January 2010 all imports of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables into England and Wales, from 3 rd countries, that are regulated by FERA & RPA, will be routed through ALV.
ALV provides an electronic link between the FERA/RPA 'PEACH' system and the HMRC 'CHIEF' system which results in faster, paperless clearance for those companies who import fresh produce regulated by FERA & RPA.
Mike Peters (Defra) ALV Project Manager said, "20 agents and importers have participated in the ALV Pilot and they all have benefited from the reduced clearance times that ALV delivers. We are now at a point where it is realistic to encourage further Trade take up of ALV across the horticultural imports industry prior to January 2010 when all such imports will be routed through ALV automatically."
Channel Ports, based at Dover, joined the pilot recently, Shaun Jackson commented, "The introduction of the ALV system has been a great success resulting in the majority of shipments being cleared within minutes rather than hours once the green light has been given on PEACH. The implementation team has provided really good user guides and back up."
Another new participant are Vantec World Transport (UK) Ltd. Paul Evans from Vantec said, "ALV has been a triumphant success for us, improving clearance times significantly, and eliminating all the minor queries with the National Clearance Hub."
Importers and agents can have their consignments routed through ALV from one of the following dates :
- 14th September 2009
- 12th October 2009
- 7th November 2009
Prior to each of these dates, the Project Team will hold briefing sessions for participants to attend if they wish (dates and venue’s tbc) and all participants will be provided with the ALV User Guide.
If you are an Importer or Agent who imports fresh produce (plants, flowers, fruit etc) that is regulated by FERA & RPA and would like more information on ALV, then please email ALV.Registrations@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information on ALV can be found on the FERA website at http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/imports/alvs.cf.
Electronic Bulletin originally sent 20 August 2009
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