UK Government Contemplates Selling Post-Brexit Border Checking Facility

The UK government is considering selling the border checking facility in Kent, which was established post-Brexit. This potential sale comes in light of a recent trade deal with the EU.

The facility, located in Sevington near Ashford, was constructed in 2021. Initially, it was anticipated that this site would be pivotal for checking animal products, including dairy and meat, as they moved across the border following Brexit.

However, with the recent UK-EU agreements, certain checks—like daily health and veterinary certifications—might no longer be necessary for a range of agricultural goods, spanning fresh meat and dairy to vegetables and leather.

Currently, the government is actively seeking a buyer for the Sevington border control point.

According to the Financial Times, the minister reportedly reached out directly to Eurotunnel about this. There are ongoing discussions with the Port of Dover as well, which has been interested in the site for quite some time.

Doug Bannister from the Port of Dover expressed support for the new UK-EU deal, mentioning that many specifics are still being worked out. He emphasized the desire to continue discussions about the implications for the Sevington border control post.

This new trade agreement could potentially lead to the establishment of around 41 border control points, created by UK port operators after Brexit.

It was revealed that a separate facility in Portsmouth, valued at £25 million, may need to be demolished due to the agreements reached with the EU.

The high-tech facility at Portsmouth, which is the UK’s second busiest cross-channel terminal, was among over 100 such sites built to manage post-Brexit checks on various imports that required sanitation and plant inspections. This particular site includes 14 truck bays and covers around 8,000 square meters, designed to mitigate cross-contamination during inspections.

However, since its operation began last April, the necessity for checks has notably decreased. This reduction is largely due to changes in the post-Brexit import regime instigated by previous conservative governments.

Currently, the Portsmouth BCP averages about three checks daily, a stark contrast to the 80 checks it originally handled when first launched.

Whether the BCP will remain operational depends largely on the specifics of the UK-EU deal, though some checks for live animals are expected to continue.

A government spokesperson reiterated their commitment from the party’s manifesto to eliminate unnecessary border checks and simplify processes for businesses, alongside negotiating to manage food costs.

Eurotunnel has opted not to comment on the situation.