Border Target Operating Model: Authorised Operator Status
Last month the UK Government published a new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which represents a new process for importing plants and plant products in the UK. The measures implemented via BTOM will be phased in between January 2024 and April 2024.
Under BTOM, all plants for planting, certain seeds and timber are categorised as high-risk goods.
Importation of these high-risk goods requires:
- Pre-notification and a phytosanitary certificate when being imported from the EU, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
- From 30th April 2024: Checks carried out at either a Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) where identity and physical checks will be carried out. Checks will be carried out at a frequency of 5% - 100% depending on the risk posed by the item imported.
Authorised Operator Status (AOS)
One of the proposals within the BTOM is to explore the introduction of a delegated authority model for checks of plants and plant products.
SPS requires three checks to be carried out:
1. Documentary check
2. Identity check
3. Physical check
These checks have previously been carried out by a competent authority, but under AOS traders of plants and plant materials would be granted the opportunity to perform identity and physical checks themselves – providing they meet certain eligibility criteria such as prescribed training.
The benefit of AOS would be to give importers of plants and plant materials additional flexibility over the location and timing of their import checks.
AOS Pilot
AOS is currently at the proposal stage, and the decision on whether to implement AOS will be taken following the pilot. Defra will be testing some aspects of pilot processes in Autumn 2023. Subject to successful testing, a live pilot with traders will commence Q2 2024, to test the end-to-end process of operating as an AO.
Further reading