Biometric EU border checks expected to be delayed again
The full implementation of an EU entry-exit system introducing fingerprinting and facial recognition checks at ports and airports is expected to be delayed again amid fears over congestion and long queues.
Ylva Johansson, the EU’s home affairs commissioner, said recently the new entry-exit system (EES) would start on 10 November, with a contingency of delaying it to 17 November. Member states were given until 5 September to provide a declaration on their readiness.
It is understood that France, Germany and the Netherlands have said they will not be ready. They raised concerns about the lack of testing of the system in the field, sources said.
Sources say UK transport operators were briefed by government officials last week to expect a further delay.
The EES was meant to launch last summer but France expressed concerns over its impact on the Rugby World Cup last autumn and this summer’s Olympics. It was rescheduled for 6 October this year but then put back to November amid concerns congestion would disrupt school holiday visits to the EU from the UK and other non-EU countries.
Several sources said France, the Netherlands and Germany were “fully supportive of the checks”, as they would increase security and speed up passport checks, but a source in France said a “big bang” 10 November start was just not viable.
France’s main concern is congestion in Dover where British and French border controls take place. Transport operators including the Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK and coach companies have warned the checks will generate huge queues unless they can be done in advance of arrival at the port. Ashford council has warned of a worst case scenario with delays of up to 14 hours.
The EES will be used at all entry ports and airports in the Schengen area, so also affects airports, particularly Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt – three of Europe’s biggest transport hubs. Germany is also concerned about Cologne and Munich.
People will have their fingerprints or a photo of their face taken the first time they arrive in the EU after the EES starts, with electronic verification of biometric data thereafter.
One UK source said: “They could start it but then phase in the timeconsuming stuff like fingerprinting.”
A source in France said: “Everyone is now waiting for the response of the commission.”
The commission was approached for comment.