Border Target Operating Model launched
Earlier this week the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) officially launched the Border Target Operating Model (or BTOM), which represents a new process for the import of plants and plant products into the UK.
The BTOM has resulted from consultation with the border industry and stakeholders and represents a divergence from the rules adopted during the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union.
A new risk-based approach to checks on imported goods will be introduced, which will be targeted and proportionate to the risks posed. Under this new system, regulated plants and plant products from the EU have been categorised into high, medium, and low-risk categories. The higher the risk category, the more biosecurity assurances will be required. This means some plants and goods will be prohibited from entering the United Kingdom entirely, whereas others will undergo inspection frequencies deemed to be proportionate to the risk posed. Inspection frequencies will change according to the risk.
Under BTOM, all plants for planting, certain seeds and timber are categorised as high-risk goods. Importation of these goods requires:
- Pre-notification and a phytosanitary certificate when being imported from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
- From 30 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.
The medium-risk goods category includes plant products only, with an identified pest or disease risk. From 31 January 2024, all imports of medium-risk plants and plant products from the EU and Ireland require a phytosanitary certificate upon entry. From 30th April 2024 documentary checks at the border will be introduced for medium-risk goods imported from the EU.
The low-risk goods category includes fresh produce which carries no identified pest/disease risk to UK. Items in this category do not require a phytosanitary or pre-notification.
Stakeholders are encouraged to attend a sector-specific online training session ahead of the changes coming into force from 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024. See the further reading section of this page for information on how to book.
Further reading