Could new Entry/Exit system disrupt UK-EU travel and trade? MPs to quiz ferry operators
The European Scrutiny Committee hears evidence from ferry operators on the potential risks of the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system (EES) for the movement of goods between the UK and EU.
MPs question representatives from ferry companies DFDS A/S and P&O Ferries, as well as industry association Logistics UK.
Meeting details
The EES is set to be introduced in autumn 2024. The automated system will register travellers from third countries each time they cross an external EU border, registering information such as their name, travel documents, biometric data and when and where they entered the EU.
However, at first, everyone passing through it would need to register and have their prints taken, potentially causing significant disruption. Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council told the Committee in written evidence that a “reasonable worst case” scenario could see 14-hour delays at the Port of Dover if the scheme is implemented as currently planned.
The Committee may ask witnesses what impact the EES could have on the movement of goods between the UK and EU, and on wider supply chains. They could ask whether the EES could lead to goods shortages in UK shops.
MPs may also ask how the EES will be practically carried out at UK terminals like the Port of Dover, and whether its implementation could disrupt travel or affect the welfare of tourists or freight drivers.