Push back introduction of new EU border system - P&O director

The introduction of a new EU border IT system should be pushed back again to prevent delays at UK terminals, a P&O Ferries director has said.

Under the Entry Exit System (ESS), people entering the EU will have to register fingerprints, a photo and passport details.

Jack Steer, the firm's director of port operations, suggested an app could be used to complete checks.

But he said EU legislation would currently prevent this.

The much-delayed scheme is due to be implemented in October this year, having being originally billed for 2022.

But Mr Steer told parliament's European Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday: "I genuinely believe that October 2024 is too early."

The Port of Dover and ferry companies have previously warned of "serious and lasting impacts" on communities, businesses and authorities because of the extra time registration would take.

Mr Steer said the scheme could see customers at ferry ports filling in their details with a tablet passed around a car, which he said would consistently "layer on" time to checks.

Jesper Christensen, director of operations on the Channel at shipping company DFDS, told the committee it had "put a lot of faith" in the idea of "upstreaming" the checks, warning that there may not be enough border force guards at peak times.

Juxtaposed border controls mean French border police check passports as people leave the UK to cross the Channel from Dover, London St Pancras and Folkestone.

Mr Steer said current EU legislation around the scheme meant checks needed to be completed in front of border police, so a legislative change would be needed to allow a "digital solution".

Nichola Mallon, head of trade & devolved policy at Logistics UK, echoed the need for a digital solution.

She told the committee an app was under development within the European Union but its anticipated implementation was not until summer 2025.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.