Agenda item

The Port Health and Public Protection Director to provide an oral update on the latest position.

The Committee received an oral update from the Port Health and Public Protection Director concerning the UK's impact of leaving the EU (Brexit) on Port Health & Public Protection.

Members were informed that the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) and the ports have continued to sustain a high level of throughput this year and it is forecast to continue moving forward.

On the 18 November, the Government released an updated Border Operating Model aiming to prevent further damage on the 1 July 2022 by a further phasing of border controls.

 From 1 July 2022, certification and physical and identity checks will be introduced for:

·         All remaining regulated animal by-products

·         All regulated plants and plant products

·         All meat and meat products

·         All remaining high-risk food not of animal origin.

From 1 September 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all dairy products.

From 1 November, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all remaining regulated products of animal origin, including composite and fish products. Live animal checks will also begin in stages incrementally moving from the point of destination to border control posts from 1 July 2022 as facilities become available and are appropriately designated.

It was noted that this phased approach would not replace any existing import controls already in place and Officers would continue to the engage with port operators and develop sites, systems and processes. 

Port Health still await final confirmation of funding to July 2022, which was expected by the end of the calendar year. An underwriting has already been in place for 2021/22 and the latest extends this further. It is then assumed that income from charges will offset delivery costs; however, a similar underwriting for 2022/23 has been requested due to the further phased introduction of controls and the continued uncertainty regarding throughput.

The unintended consequence of Brexit was that it opened the potential for competition at HARC. The City Corporation continues to engage with Government agencies and Heathrow Airport as the service aims to demonstrate and plan to ensure that it has the capacity to handle the anticipated post-Brexit throughput.