Thread by @hayward_katy

Today @duponline posted a statement from @DianeDoddsMEP claiming @europarl_en approved a Report on new digital technology for customs.

They cry foul, given EU has said tech can't yet solve post-Brexit @BorderIrish.

This is worth investigating...
🧐
1/9
mydup.com/news/article/e…

The DUP's statement didn’t give details as to the report concerned, but it is this one:
'on strengthening the competitiveness of the Internal Market by developing the EU Customs Union & its governance' (2018/2109(INI))
europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.d…
2/9

1st, let’s put this in context.
The digitisation of EU customs procedures was proposed as long ago as 2003
& enacted in 2008 with the Decision on a paperless environment for customs,
& the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 establishing the [Union] Customs Code.🇪🇺 🛃
3/9

The new Union Customs Code came into force 1 May 2016.
Its primary objective = digitisation of the customs system
but the electronic system needed has been delayed & deferred.
Removing paper-based procedures now due for completion 2025, after 2020 deadline proved impractical.
4/9

Several EU countries don't have the IT systems required to effect the transition to a digital customs system.
In fact, as the report the DUP cites notes, while 75% of the IT systems needed to implement the UCC *ought* to be ready by end 2020 that does not mean they *will* be.
5/9

With the EU components of the necessary IT systems still in progress, & the other 25% made up of national components being subject to delay, the report notes (with regret) the Commission & the Council have asked for an extension to the transition period to full digitisation.
6/9

So, yes, as the DUP statement selectively cites, the Report does claim that “digitisation has the *potential* to make the exchange of information & the payment of duties more transparent & accessible”.
+ It encourages the creation of an integrated EU customs one-stop shop 🛍️
7/9

BUT the same report also notes:‘the UK’s withdrawal from the EU poses a challenge to the proper functioning of the Customs Union’
+ notes that it will 'alter the EU’s external borders'
+ highlights #Brexit 'should not impact negatively on the devt & governance of EU Customs’.
8/9

Thus: the report the DUP points to actually shows EU is convinced by potential of customs digitisation, but that it knows the complexity, delays & flaws entailed.

EU wariness of claims re: simple tech solutions to its soon-to-be external border is built on bitter experience.
9/9