An all-day webinar today with the Belgian, Dutch, French, and Irish customs authorities (as you might have noticed by my earlier tweets).

You know these traffic management systems we're trying to build in the last few months of this year? The have them ready.

/1

New customs officers, hired and trained.

New veterinary stuff needed for SPS checks? No problem, already hired.

Oh and Border Control Posts for SPS controls already built.

/2

Ports ready and processes in place.

Guidance for traders available for months. Direct comms sent to traders. Helplines! They have helplines!

Clear answers re forms and requirements.

/3

Worst of all - they seem to understand our Border Operating Model and our plans better than most ppl running our trader webinars! Not even kidding.

/4

Actually no - the worst part was hearing about all the tests:

We stress-tested this, we stress-tested that... our tests suggest an average customs clearance/ SPS check will take x amount of time.

/5

I'm trying to stay positive and believe it will all somehow work out but it's hard when faced with these professional, knowledgeable and experienced experts. Calm and collected. Fully ready and in charge of the changes facing their borders.

Why can't we do that?

/ends