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Logistics UK deplores new migrant fines

[ January 17, 2023   //   ]

Logistics UK has objected new fines for UK hauliers found to be carrying clandestine migrants or crossing the border with an unsecured vehicle, imposed by the Government in a new bill on 16 January.

Senior policy manager, Chris Yarsley, said that the new penalty of up to £6,000 could deter EU operators from risking a journey to the UK, adding: “We hope that government will work with the sector to help compliant operators demonstrate they are making every effort to comply with the new rules. Our nation’s highly-interconnected supply chain relies on the smooth movement of goods from across the EU, particularly at this time of year, and any delay to goods would be detrimental to trade and could deter future movements of goods to the UK.”

He added: “When individuals and businesses take every reasonable measure to mitigate the risk of carrying an illegal entrant, including participation in industry standards such as AEOS and Customs Seals, it is unreasonable to impose such punitive penalties. Urgent improvements are needed to ensure detection systems used in ports are fully effective in locating hidden individuals on vehicles and more should be done to provide safe and secure passage for vehicles to the ports themselves, with more secure overnight parking and increased policing on the routes to Channel ports.”

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