Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is gathering evidence on how the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is operating in practice.

They would like to understand stakeholders’ on-the-ground experiences – the processes and checks followed at the border, how these work in practice, and any operational challenges encountered.

To support this work, Defra has commissioned Ecorys, an independent research organisation, to gather insights from key industry representatives, and your perspective is essential.

If any BFFF members would be willing to participate in an interview, please could you email deniserion@bfff.co.uk by 20^th February latest, confirming you agree for your contact details to be shared with Defra.

Research interviews will last 60 minutes and take place in February 2026 via Microsoft Teams. All interviews will be audio-recorded to ensure accurate reporting. These recordings will be stored securely and permanently deleted at the end of the project. See the Privacy Notice for more information.

A summary of all interview findings will be reported to Defra anonymously, with insights grouped by stakeholder type to ensure meaningful feedback for each sector. The report will be published on Defra’s Science Search.

Your input is vital in helping Defra understand how the current BTOM arrangements are working on the ground. This research will contribute to Defra’s evidence base as the UK develops its approach to future Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreements.

Your participation will help:

• Ensure BTOM implementation reflects real-world challenges and opportunities
• Inform Defra’s evidence base as SPS discussions progress
• Provide insight into operational impacts and potential areas for improvement

The interview discussion will cover:

• Your views on BTOM’s biosecurity aims and their implications for your organisation
• Your perspective on the new border checks introduced by BTOM
• Operational improvements or challenges experienced since BTOM implementation
• How business models have adapted to comply with BTOM border regulations
• Whether changes to supply chains and practices (e.g., groupage) are likely to persist in the context of ongoing SPS discussions with the EU

Defra are particularly interested in hearing from importers, exporters, hauliers and logistics providers.