Member Engagement
It has been another busy few weeks of regional meetings around the country where the team of representatives updated attendees on policy group developments and issues currently crossing the secretariat's collective desks Regional round-up
The Liverpool visit to Peel Ports
NORTHERN ENGLAND & THE MIDLANDS – Andrew Melton Liverpool The Liverpool regional meeting was kindly hosted by Peel Ports at its Maritime centre building with 38 Members in attendance. The meeting was opened by David Huck, chief operating officer for the Port of Liverpool, who welcomed BIFA Members and gave a brief outline of the Peel Group and its activities around the UK. This was followed by Bruce Hailey, solicitor with Salvus Law, who updated Members on current issues with Customs representation and Customs valuations. A detailed and often amusing presentation of the port’s activities was delivered by Luis Mendez and Jerome Wildsmith representing the Port of Liverpool. This was followed by a session about vehicle export smuggling from PC Matt Bate of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. After lunch, BIFA Members were given a guided coach tour of the Seaforth facilities with Luis acting as guide. BIFA would like to thank Peel Group and the Port of Liverpool for their hospitality and special thanks to Ariola Myftari of Peel Group for her excellent organisation and liaison with Shelby Merchant of the BIFA events team, without whom the event would not have been as successful. Humber The Humber regional meeting was held at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel near Humberside Airport, being the first on the south side of the river for many years. Fifteen representatives from Member companies attended the meeting. Andrew Melton presented the latest information from the BIFA policy groups, with input from Darren Southwell (Relay Freight), who attended the recent Customs
Policy Group meeting, and John Habergam of Myton Law clarifying some legal points. Manchester This meeting, held in Wythanshawe, was attended by 22 members including several who attended for the first time. David Stroud, Air Policy Group lead, gave an update on the IATA agency agreement and Heathrow Airport developments; Bruce Hailey of Salvus Law updated Members on the issues he is seeing relating to HMRC interventions; and Lindsay advantages of rail between ports and local hubs offering a greener alternative and possible cost savings. Carl Hobbis updated Members on BIFA Training courses and the YFN in the area. Leeds Twenty members joined the meeting where it was pleasing to see some younger forwarders attending with their managers. Paul Bathgate from RailX talked about the advantages of using rail – currently of the 6 million containers imported into the UK each year, 90% are moved by road and there is around 25% empty capacity on the railways. An estimated 76% reduction in carbon emission could be achieved by switching mode. LONDON WEST, THE SOUTH & SOUTH WEST – Paul Cunningham Heathrow The Heathrow regional meeting was well attended, and it was great to see new Members joining the session for the first time. The Food Standards Agency explained the key elements concerning BTOM, including the differences and Shentall of RailX gave a presentation about the requirements for high, medium and low-risk products of animal origin
“ Currently of the 6 million containers imported into the UK each year, 90% are moved by road and there is around 25% empty capacity on the railways. An estimated 76% reduction in carbon emission could be achieved by switching mode.
and the required commercial documents. National Highways gave the meeting advance information on the potential timing and impact of a major road development plan for the M3 junction 9, a critical route for freight. Stansted The Stansted regional meeting was held online. Border Force, Stansted Airport Management and the Animal and Plant Health Agency all gave updates on current activities and developments. BIFA policy advisors updated attendees at both the Heathrow and Stansted meetings on the formation of the Heathrow working group, aviation security, FIATA/IATA global cargo programme, Customs issues, legal and environmental developments. SCOTLAND – Chris Curtin Chris Curtin and Steve Parker met with the Scottish BIFA membership, with meetings in both Glasgow and Aberdeen. Important issues relating to CDS were raised by Members relating to Cairnryan not being recognised as a valid port of
24 | May 2024
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