“No, there won’t be any barriers at the borders,” said Prime Minister Dick Schoof during the press conference on asylum and migration measures last Friday. Earlier, Schoof had announced in a letter to parliament that border controls will be implemented at the Belgian and German borders starting at the end of next month. He also emphasized that “economic traffic must not be harmed” by the measure.

The measure is intended to combat illegal migration and to return asylum seekers at the border who have demonstrably applied for asylum elsewhere in Europe.

75 million euro's per month

Chairwoman Elisabeth Post warned, including on the Dutch news program Nieuwsuur, that the border controls could have serious consequences for the transport and logistics sector. “Any delay at the border leads to significant economic damage, amounting to as much as 75 million euros per month in direct losses for the transport sector. And that’s without considering the additional costs when trucks miss their connections due to delays, such as the ferry in Hoek van Holland,” Post stated.

TLN is therefore advocating for a priority system for freight traffic. “If freight traffic can be given priority, we can limit the economic impact. We urge the government to exempt freight transport from border controls and to work with the transport sector to find solutions,” stated TLN.

Germany recently released figures illustrating the results of its border controls. More than 53,000 unauthorized entrants were stopped at the borders. Around 28,000 people were sent back, and nearly 1,200 human traffickers were arrested. Germany considers the controls a success, despite the significant police resources required. The country plans to continue with the border controls for the time being.

Six months border control

In the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) will be responsible for conducting the checks. The organization informed news agency ANP that it has been tasked with carrying out the controls “within the available capacity, starting at the end of November 2024.” While the Mobile Unit (ME) frequently performs such checks, they will soon be required to do so on a regular basis.

The border controls in the Netherlands have initially been announced for a six-month period, after which the period can be extended by another six months at a time.

Post described the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the controls as “extremely complicated” for transporters and logistics service providers during an interview with Nieuwsuur. “If you don’t even know when it will end, it becomes impossible to plan accordingly,” she stated.

Last resort

The government’s plans have led to resistance in the provinces and border regions. Open borders are “essential for the development of border regions and the strengthening of European integration,” says the Association of European Border Regions, which includes Dutch provinces. They are calling for “restraint” in the use of border controls, advocating that they be used only as a “last resort.”

Source: NT