In February 2025, Thanet Earth welcomed the BBC Countryfile team to the site as part of their reporting on issues encountered by horticultural businesses regarding the UK border control checks, and their impact on food and farming.

Reporter Joe Crowley investigated the post-Brexit border control regime for imported food and plant products. This was linked to the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), a system requiring checks on plant and animal products entering the UK to manage Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) risks.

This important segment highlighted ongoing challenges and frustrations within the sector since additional checks were introduced in April 2024, focusing on how these checks affect supply chains for fresh produce.

Countryfile highlighted broader industry concerns, including Common User Charges (CUCs) for inspections and delays, which can greatly affect profitability and competitiveness. Some businesses reported annual added costs of tens of thousands of pounds due to these checks.

The reports emphasised biosecurity concerns, notably how breaking established bio-secure supply chains at inland inspection points may inadvertently increase risks rather than reduce them.

Commentary during the episode also touched on how the border regime has influenced hauliers’ willingness to operate in the UK and the broader fresh produce logistics sector.

With a valid BBC license, you can watch the episode on the BBC iPlayer here – Countryfile – Welney Wetland Centre – BBC iPlayer.  The segment begins at 20 minutes, with the Thanet Earth coverage coming in at 23minutes, where Rob James, Technical Director at Thanet Earth, talks to the issues faced by growers in the UK.