Extending the easement for plants and plant products imported from the EU to GB via west coast ports to 31 January 2027 Consultation

Defra propose to delay the implementation of checks on goods from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, entering GB via a listed West Coast Port, to align this with the proposed end of the TSP.

In addition, they are proposing to re-introduce an easement which allowed operators importing goods from the EU, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein, into a listed west coast port, to not pay fees. This is proposed to be included as part of separate legislation, which is being consulted on separately from 27 January to 21 March. A link to this consultation can be found here: OFC023 consultation 7 Feb

The listed West Coast Ports are those listed under the definition of ‘relevant port’ in Annex 6 of the Official Controls Regulation.

“relevant port” means any of the following seaports—

(a) Ayr;

(b) Barrow;

(c) Barry;

(d) Cardiff;

(e) Cairnryan;

(f) Ellesmere Port;

(g) Fishguard;

(h) Garston;

(i) Greenock;

(j) Heysham

(k) Holyhead;

(l) Lancaster;

(m) Liverpool;

(n) Mersey Wharf;

(o) Newport;

(p) Pembroke;

(q) Port Talbot;

(r) Royal Portbury (Bristol);

(s) Seaforth Grain Terminal;

(t) Silloth;

(ta) Swansea;

(v) Workington