The Scottish Government is preparing to create a new border control post at Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway.
A Special Development Order (SDO) – a statutory instrument which will help ensure that planning permission is in place – has been laid in front of the Scottish Parliament.
The terms of the Brexit deal means some goods entering the UK from the European Union are now subject to border entry controls as goods from the rest of the world, with further controls on imports from the EU being introduced in phases this year.
The facility would allow the inspection of goods coming from the Republic of Ireland and the EU via Northern Ireland.
It is one of the many control posts being set up across the UK. Late last year, Transport Scotland revealed it was in talks with the Stair Estate over using the Castle Kennedy Airfield.
This could be used to park lorries waiting to cross from Scotland to Northern Ireland and save excessive queues at Loch Ryan Port.
Checks on animals, fish, plants, food and feed are required to ensure products entering the market do not present a risk to public health.
Once an appropriate site has been selected, a site-specific planning consent will have to be obtained before construction can get underway, and the SDO requires engagement to be carried out with various parties before this approval can be sought.
Cabinet Secretary Michael Russell said: “This move is a direct consequence of a Brexit that people in Scotland overwhelmingly rejected – in these circumstances it is a practical, common sense and timely action to provide additional planning certainty while detailed proposals are developed and a site for this post is selected.
“I have twice written to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to press for a decision on the need for this post, but it was only in January that the UK Government confirmed checks would be required on non-qualifying Northern Ireland Goods at Cairnryan,” he added.
“We are also still waiting to hear whether HMRC would like to use the site for their responsibilities, but by laying this SDO, the Scottish Government is preparing to move as speedily and effectively as it can.”
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