Food export struggles seem more systemic for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) after the Brexit transition period’s end, sounding a note of caution despite February export statistics painting a rosier picture than January data.
British food businesses face ‘outright export bans’ and ‘structural’ barriers to trade with Europe thanks to bureaucracy linked with Brexit, according to the House of Lords EU Environment sub-committee.
Salmon, beef, pork, cheese and animal feed were the top five UK food chain items exported to the EU taking the biggest percentage hit in January, with overall exports down 75.5% on January 2020.
Delays in implementing safety and standards legislation for food imported from the EU could leave the door open for more food crime, according to Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Northern Ireland director Gary McFarlane.
With the Government’s announcement of the creation of eight new freeports across England, customs expert and founder of the customs and training consultancy Customs Manager Arne Mielken looks at the benefits and potential dowsides for food and drink manufacturers.
Concessions enabling more CBD products to meet the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) novel food application deadline suggest the UK could be becoming a major player in cannabis edibles, according to law firm Fieldfisher.
Brexit has been an ‘almost unmitigated disaster’ for food and drink in Scotland, according to Fergus Ewing, the Scottish government's cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism.
More checks for products entering the EU, relaxation on goods coming into the UK and a decline in exports to the continent has caused concern among the food and drink industry.
The UK Government must maintain high food standards for imports, rewarding countries who meet them with zero tariffs, and meet consumers' ethical expectations, the newly formed Trade & Agriculture Commission (TAC) claims.
British Meat Processors Association trade policy adviser Peter Hardwick claims the UK’s Brexit deal offers little relief for exporters to the EU from the burden of Britain becoming a third country.
Stock shortages and ‘random’ delays getting food from the EU will only get worse as new rules are phased in throughout this year, supply chain and logistics experts have warned.
“Crises present us with unique conditions that allow innovators to think and move more freely to create rapid, impactful change,” as Larry Clark, managing director, Global Learning Solutions, Harvard Business Publishing once said.
The Scottish government’s newly established seafood task force needs to take decisive action to save the industry from ‘relentless bureaucracy’ and protect jobs, urged Scotland’s fisheries minister.
The UK meat industry faces further skills shortages as the Government makes it harder for unemployed Brits to re-train in the sector, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has warned.
UK meat businesses are considering setting up an EU base to bypass export problems, as meat processors continue to struggle to ship product to the continent, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) claims.
Seafood firms could be left ineligible for £23m of Government support to help alleviate pressure caused by export delays, according to Seafood Scotland.
The warehousing and logistics sector could soon face a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges in the next few months irrespective of Brexit, according to Schoeller Allibert UK.
MPs have pressed food and farming minister George Eustice for details on Government aid for meat and seafood firms hit by Brexit-related border delays and launched an urgent inquiry into their impact.
Food and drink businesses in Scotland can now benefit from a training initiative to help fuel growth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.
Siemens Digital Logistics development consultant Phil Lavin and Digital Industries head of food and beverage Keith Thornhill discuss how automation technologies can be used to compensate for the delays caused by our ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit.
The Scottish seafood sector hits ‘rock bottom’ as continued delays at the ports, technology failure and an increase in bureaucracy threaten to make British export undesirable to EU customers.
The biggest challenges the food industry currently faces from Brexit include delays caused by the 'impenetrability of paperwork', the shortage of vets and customs officials and dealing with the island of Ireland.
UK seafood producers are being priced out of export markets by European competition, following continued delays at EU ports and poor preparation from Government, according to Scottish food trade bodies.
Post-Brexit disruption over paperwork and procedure is hitting supplies to Northern Ireland as well as seafood exports, with the Scottish industry saying it faces a perfect storm that could cripple its international trade.
Trade organisation Logistics UK has urged the government to review traffic and welfare management for HGV drivers following border chaos over Christmas.
A trade deal has been agreed with the EU that sees the UK granted ‘third country’ listing status for exports of meat, dairy and other products of animal origin.
Food and drink industry representatives have urged the Government to launch an inquiry into continued Brexit-related disruption at UK ports as costs mount on manufacturers already negatively hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost half (45%) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are still figuring out scenario plans relating to Brexit, according to a new report from global standards provider GS1 UK.
The volatility in supply and demand that characterised 2020 shows no signs of abating, driven by the continued uncertainty of COVID-19 and our messy divorce from the EU.
The red meat industry will be faced with inevitable and permanent change whatever the outcome of any Brexit negotiations, warned Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).
UK manufacturers have slashed their forecasts for growth next year amid fears of a no-deal Brexit, as food and drink output drops in 2020, according to Make UK.
The EU’s recognition of the UK’s organic control bodies has brought welcome relief for producers, but experts have warned uncertainties remain for the future of trade with the single market post 2021.
Trade volume to the EU will drop by up to 75% if more official veterinarians are not hired before the end of the Brexit transition period, according to the heads of the UK’s food and logistics trade unions.
Details of an approved Border Control Post (BCP) at Spalding – furthering Government plans for ten such inland sites to support post-Brexit food import checks – have been revealed by perishable cargo specialist PML.
Ireland’s agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue has raised concerns over the processed meat trade between Northern Ireland (NI) and the UK, after the UK Government proposed a two-way ban.
'Serious concerns' about UK nutrition laws post-Brexit have been raised by a House of Lords committee in a letter addressed to minister of health Edward Argar.
Farmers have welcomed the Agriculture Bill passing into UK law, gaining Royal Assent after more than 100 hours of debate in parliament, claiming the Government has listened to food standards concerns.
A long list of questions about exports to the EU from 1 January 2021 remain unanswered, according to producer body the National Pig Association (NPA), which is calling for 'more urgency' from Government.
Food industry environmental initiatives are being hampered by the financial impact of COVID-19 and uncertainties surrounding the UK's relationship with the EU after the Brexit transition period, according to an industry survey.
