While assessments of the effectiveness of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) in safeguarding UK biosecurity vary, and regardless of whether full or partial implementation would be sufficient in principle, Defra and the relevant authorities have not fulfilled their responsibilities under the BTOM in practice. As such, the question of adequacy of the system is largely academic; without effective delivery, even a well-designed model cannot achieve its intended outcomes. We are reassured by the overall level of compliance within industry, but a robust, risk-based regime is essential to maintaining standards and safeguarding biosecurity. We have real concerns that the inspection rates set out in the BTOM risk assessment are not being met and that Defra has no effective system of oversight for border controls. We are not convinced that a lack of published data on the inspection rates is due to a desire to protect the integrity of the intelligence system. We have concerns that they are not being published to avoid highlighting Defra’s historic noncompliance with its own targets. (Conclusion, Paragraph 9)