The new veterinary and phytosanitary inspection service (Sivep) in Dunkirk, will allow for 5,000 batches compared to today’s 1,000 to be controlled per year. The new Sivep border control post has been set up close to the container terminal in the Port of Dunkirk. This service, under the Minister of Agriculture, checks that imports do not have diseases or parasites that could effect human, animal or plant health.
“We are the last rampart before entering the European Union,” explains Adeline Croyère, Head of the Sivep’s national service. She explains that they control the documents as well as carry out sample tests according to risk analysis. The French port is considered more rigorous than their Belgian or Dutch counterparts. Shippers pay close attention to French administration, “Containers can be blocked because of a comma. It is never because of the merchandise” complains Belgian Luc Van Holzaet, Head of Conhexa, who imports fresh and frozen products through Dunkirk.
Christian Choupin says that “Dialogue (with the administration) is getting better”. In Dunkirk, for example, vegetable controls have quadrupled in 2 years, and the new Sivep equipment which allows them to control 5 times more batches than before will allow for a “greater efficiency” ensures Adeline Croyère.
The aim is to bring more imports through Dunkirk to head to Rungis, rather then going via Anvers or Rotterdam. This would allow a €400 economy per container explains the Commercial Director of Dunkirk Port, Daniel Deschodt.