In March, the Cabinet Office released its review of "The Organisation of the Government's Controls of Imports of Animal, Fish, Plants and their Produce", which makes a number of recommendations concerning the reform of import controls at ports.
SITPRO's Ports Procedures Policy Group is concerned about increasing controls by Port Health Authorities, DEFRA and related agencies and believes that there is considerable scope for improving the efficiency and reduction of costs relating to these controls.
It is generally estimated that more than 70% of all import-related controls at UK frontiers stem from these agencies and are posing increasing concern to UK traders and port operators.
Report recommendations addressing these concerns include:
- Customs to become the lead authority for detection of smuggled imports
- Improved joint working across all the main control agencies
- The introduction of a single window
All these points are cornerstones in SITPRO's policy work to improve trade facilitation for UK traders.
The report also highlights the fact that DEFRA's interface with business could be improved and efficiency savings could be made through better co-ordination and joint working. Customs already has a successful joint trade consultation forum and SITPRO is encouraging DEFRA and its agencies to pursue a similar path.
The full report can be found at: www.cabinet-office.
gov.uk/reports/pdf/Illegal Imports paper.pdf (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
)(pdf 306KB 
).
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 44, April/May 2003
