Member Engagement
future trends that will change some key aspects of the security requirements. Stansted The Stansted meeting was joined by Trevor Pyett, interim head of aviation at London Stansted Airport, who commented on local issues. Key points from Trevor were that night slots remain restricted, and tonnage is up between 15% and 20% compared with last year, with consequent constraints on handling capacity. A detailed report from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was provided. In early December, Denise Hill, BIFA Member Engagement Director, hosted regional meetings in Anglia and London East. Felixstowe Fifty-plus attendees were joined by representatives from NaVCIS (the National Vehicle Crime Investigation Service) who provided an insightful presentation on vehicle theft, including a videoclip showing a robbery conducted in less than 20 seconds. Members exporting vehicles in containers are invited to contact Ports@Navcis.police.uk with relevant documentation to check the validity of shipments. Liz Sumner from BIFA updated Members on training activity, emphasising the different delivery options: face-to-face, online or in- house. The new Introduction to Freight course for those new to the industry was outlined. London East The London East regional meeting, chaired by Scott Baker of Uniserve, was held at DP World London Gateway offices. A representative from Port Health provided an update on current activity and there was discussion around the examination of containers of West African origin as well as the BTOM requirements for foodstuff health certification. 2024 Dates for Regional Meetings for the first quarter of 2024 are now live at https://bifa.org/events/ All BIFA members are welcome, register online to attend.
Denise Hill addresses Members at the Anglia Regional meeting in November
Regional meetings
The BIFA team of representatives continue to be active around the country with the following meetings having taken place recently “ A survey of over 100 businesses in the sector, which found
T he November Stansted and Heathrow Regional Meetings covered some identical topics and some speci fi c to each region. The common topics: Paul Cunningham, BIFA Regional Representative for the South, started the meetings with a summary of key points that emerged from the BIFA Business Leaders meeting held in London in mid-October. These included the results of the ‘Logistics Confidence Index’, a survey of over 100 businesses in the sector, which found confidence to be at its second lowest level in recent years with freight forwarding feeling less optimistic than those businesses focusing on last mile delivery. Another important finding was that 88% of leaders are actively engaged in environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities. This aligns with BIFA’s recent creation of the Sustainable Logistics Policy Group led by Mike Jones as the BIFA Policy Advisor, Sustainability & Environment. Topics related to the air sector included the continuing discussions between FIATA and IATA, aviation security and progress and timescales on the implementation
of Import Control System 2 (ICS2). Updates on Customs and legal matters included CDS implementation and the extension of 999L, the need for vigilance on the risks around indirect representation and preparations for the first milestone of the Border Target Operating Model. The Electronic Trade Documents Act, which came into force on 20September 2023, was discussed along with the timing and implications of EU and UK sustainability and carbon reporting requirements. Meeting attendees were reminded that the highly popular BIFA training courses can be booked through the website and that the Young Forwarders Network and apprenticeships continue to thrive. Heathrow At the Heathrow meeting, Paul was delighted to welcome Tim Robertson, managing director of Cryptair, as a guest speaker. Tim has many years of experience in aviation security and presented and discussed the current situation that is impacting Members, as well as
con fi dence to be at its second lowest level in recent years with freight forwarding feeling less optimistic than those businesses focusing on
last mile delivery
18 | January 2024
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