BIFA calls for border police to take control of freight too
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The planned UK border police should have responsibility for cargo as well as people, say the freight forwarders. David Harris reports.
IF A UK border police force is established it should have responsibility for cargo as well as people, according to the British International Freight Association.
BIFA, which represents Britain's freight forwarders, wants the management of checks on cargo and cargo carriers to be simplified to minimise delays.
Chris Stams,B IFA's trade policy manager, says that as many as 15 separate agencies can check incoming freight. He argues that for incoming vehicles a risk assessment should enable the authorities to decide where their attention should be focused, with a multidisciplinary team then carrying out any necessary checks.
He adds: "As things stand, we have a whole range of potential checks, stretch ing from Vosa to fisheries inspectors and even seed inspectors. A proper risk assessment should mean you only pull those vehicles you need to pull."
The government is reviewing border security arrangements, It says: -To strengthen the powers and surveillance capability of our border guards and security officers, we will now integrate the vital work of the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and UK visas overseas at the main points of entry to the III( and establish a unified border force." BIFA's director-general, Colin Beaumont. says: "We would urge the Cabinet Secretary. Sir Gus O'Donnell, to use the opportunity of his wider review to seriously consider going further than currently envisaged and propose the establishment of a single UK border agency to encompass all relevant activities.
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