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BIFA welcomes government move to streamline border security

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the government's move to review security arrangements at the UK's borders, which will streamline operations for the international freight forwarding industry, and has called for it to be taken further still.

Under a new commitment, the government plans to integrate the work of the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and UK Visas overseas and at the main points of entry into the UK, in order to strengthen border security.

This will allow for a common set of powers and a single command structure, allowing processes to be sped up and thus benefiting freight forwarders.

BIFA said that such a review of border management is overdue, with freight haulage firms currently forced to deal with many different authorities in order to move cargo.

"Companies managing international supply-chains have long been frustrated by the cross-cutting procedural and regulatory requirements at the border and the absence of co-ordination between the relevant authorities. This continues to hamper business efficiency and increase costs," said BIFA director general Colin Beaumont.

"We would urge the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, to use the opportunity of his wider review to seriously consider going much further than currently envisaged and propose the establishment of a single UK Border Agency to encompass all relevant activities."

BIFA wants the government to look beyond "people" and include "cargo movement" through air and seaports in its plans.

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