4th Report - UK-EU trade: towards a resilient border strategy
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 1279
15 September 2025
Recommendations
3 results
23
Accepted
Commit to clear timelines, a delivery plan, and prompt communication during BTOM transition.
Recommendation
During the transition away from the BTOM, the Department should commit to clear timelines for decision-making, a delivery plan, and communicate changes promptly to allow businesses to plan with confidence. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to communicate clear timelines for decision-making and delivery throughout the transition from BTOM to the UK-EU SPS Agreement to help businesses plan.
26
Accepted
People's welfare and working conditions are central to successful border system design.
Recommendation
Implementing the BTOM goes beyond logistics and finance; people are central to a successful, biosecure border. The welfare, dignity, and working conditions of those delivering and using a border system must be integral to its design and operation. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, detailing ongoing improvements to welfare facilities and measures to reduce wait times at the Defra-run Sevington BCP, while noting employer responsibility for health and safety at other BCPs.
27
Accepted
Outline plans to reduce haulier wait times and ensure adequate 24-hour driver welfare facilities.
Recommendation
In its response to this Report, Defra should outline plans to reduce current wait times for hauliers at the border and outline how it intends to ensure that all drivers have 24-hour adequate welfare facilities. Any future border infrastructure and …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts this recommendation, outlining ongoing improvements to welfare facilities at Sevington BCP and actions to reduce wait times by coordinating inspections and ensuring proper documentation.
Conclusions (1) Observations and findings — click to expand
7
Conclusion
Accepted
Defra maintains that a “robust” enforcement system is in operation at the Short Straits entry point. Within the context of flawed IT systems, data gaps, routine auto-clearance of goods and strained local authorities, the Committee does not share that confidence. We are particularly concerned that the absence of robust enforcement …
Government Response Summary
The government describes its ongoing efforts to review data on non-attendance at Sevington BCP, follow up on missing vehicles, and improve data collection, stating these actions address the committee's concerns about enforcement robustness.