Under the Treaty and current arrangements, UK border officials are able to carry out passport checks in Calais before onward travel to Dover, this has been in place since 2003. The BPA represents the interests of 100 port members from over 350 ports, terminals and facilities and state the UK ports industry plays a fundamentally important role in the country’s economy. 96% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through UK ports which also handle 60 million passenger journeys and handle almost 500 million tonnes of freight each year – the second largest in Europe.
Mr Ballantyne said, “Any decisions on the Treaty should seriously consider the impacts on legitimate passengers and look to preserve the facilitation of trade flows.”