The meat and wider food industry has warned of the "catastrophic impact of a no-deal Brexit" in a letter to the Defra Secretary of State, Michael Gove, which was signed by over 30 meat and food trade bodies.
The letter which was endorsed by meat industry organisations such as the British Meat Processors Association, International Meat Trade Association and the British Poultry Council, outlined the potential impact of a no deal Brexit.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is being specifically asked to put any non-Brexit consultations on hold as a ‘matter of great urgency’.
Pointing out that in fewer than 50 days the UK will leave the European Union, whether or not we have signed a withdrawal agreement, the letter states that at present a no-deal Brexit looks ever more the likeliest outcome.
The letter further states that “At this moment of potential crisis for our industry, it cannot be ‘business as usual’ within government. Neither we nor our members have the physical resources nor organisational bandwidth to engage with and properly respond to non-Brexit related policy consultations or initiatives at this time.”
The trade bodies urge that a range of current and planned consultations that will impact food and drink, some of which are expected shortly, are firmly and clearly placed on “pause” until uncertainty is over.
NFU director general Terry Jones said: “The NFU, alongside industry, has urged the Secretary of State to pause any non-Brexit related consultations until the current Brexit uncertainty is resolved.
“The NFU is committed to engaging with the consultation process on all issues affecting food and farming. However during the current climate we believe it is important for the Government to prioritise its resource, as we are, on avoiding a no-deal Brexit.”
Andrew Kuyk CBE director general at Provision Trade Federation, who also signed the letter, told Meat Management: "One point I would want to stress is that this is in no sense an opportunistic way of seeking to delay or defer policy initiatives which might impact on industry. It is purely and simply a question of resources.
"Food companies and trade associations are currently working flat out to mitigate the huge uncertainties surrounding the Brexit process and to put in place robust and realistic contingency plans to maintain as much choice and affordability as we can for consumers in what is already a highly challenging situation."
The letter lists food and drink related policy consultations that are pending in an appendix, including proposals such as a tax on plastic items with less than 30% recycled content, and a proposal to further restrict the advertising of HFSS foods and drink.
The joint signatories to the letter are as follows:
Ian Wright CBE Chief Executive Food and Drink Federation
Paul Rooke Head of Policy Agricultural Industries Confederation
Andrew Pollard President Association of Bakery Ingredient Manufacturers
Pete Robertson President Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers
David Camp Chief Executive Association of Labour Providers
Chris Stemman Director British Coffee Association
Walter Anzer Director General British Food Importers and Distributors Association
John Hyman Chief Executive British Frozen Food Federation
Jack Ward Chief Executive British Growers Association
Nick Allen Chief Executive Officer British Meat Processors Association
Richard Griffiths Chief Executive British Poultry Association
Declan O’Brien Director General British Specialist Nutrition Association
Nick Bennett Chairman Council for Responsible Nutrition UK
Judith Bryans Chief Executive Dairy UK
Gordon Polson Director Federation of Bakers
James Bielby Chief Executive Federation of Wholesale Distributors
Nigel Jenny Chief Executive Fresh Produce Consortium
David Thomson Chief Executive Officer Food and Drink Federation Scotland
Andy Richardson Chairman Food and Drink Wales Industry Board
Graham Keen Executive Director Health Food Manufacturers’ Association
Liz Murphy Chief Executive Officer International Meat Trade Association
Bob Price Director and Policy Advisor National Association of Cider Manufacturers
Terry Jones Director General National Farmers’ Union
Michael Bell Executive Director Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association
Dick Searle Chief Executive Packaging Federation
Andrew Curtis Director General Potato Processors’ Association
Andrew Kuyk CBE Director General Provision Trade Federation
James Withers Chief Executive Scotland Food and Drink
Simon Cripps Executive Chairman Seasoning and Spice Association
James Smith Chairman UK Flavour Association
Kate Nicholls Chief Executive Officer UK Hospitality
Dr. Sharon Hall Chief Executive UK Tea & Infusions Association
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
