The Border Inspection Post

In 2000 SCT opened the Border Inspection Post (BIP) – an up to date facility, which provides an inspection area for the regulatory authorities who are required to carry out inspections on imported goods from outside the EU covering various regulations.  Manned permanently by SCT staff; the Supervisor, Paul Lloyd, who joined SCT after 22 years of MOD logistics experience at Marchwood, and 5 warehousemen. Together they manage the facility and provide support to the authorities in locating and handle goods pre and post examination.  

The primary user of the facility is Port Health, who carryout the inspection and examination of foodstuffs including products of animal origins for both human and non-human consumption. However the facility is also used by DEFRA bodies such as Plant & Seed Health and the Horticultural Market Inspector.

The facility comprises of 3 areas:-

 

1. A temperature controlled section comprising of 5 examination bays and 3 turnout rooms, which can be cooled down to -24°C. There are multiple examination rooms which are allocated for the inspection of specific food types such as fruit and vegetables, fishery products, meat and also a sample preparation room.
   
   
2. There is an ambient area with 2 examination bays, a turnout room and an inspection room.
   
   
3. There is also a separate annex specifically for the inspection of products of animal origin that are for non human consumption. Examples are Wool, Pet Food, and Bovine Serum just to name a few.

In the last year, the staff at the BIP has been responsible for aiding Port Health and Customs with the detection of banned, illegal, and contaminated goods, some of which have lead to serious prosecutions.