AIMS has urged the UK Government to negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU as an “urgent priority”.
AIMS said that a “failure of consistency” in veterinary controls and the “inaccuracy” of certification processes post-Brexit had “left UK businesses at risk of economic loss, waste and an increasingly unmanageable burden of bureaucracy”.
It found that UK Border Control Posts (BCPs) had exhibited “wide variability” in how vet controls are applied, claiming that individual veterinary decisions were creating “inconsistent outcomes”.
This has reportedly resulted in importers being exposed to “unnecessary risks” while also potentially causing “financial harm, product spoilage and significant waste”.
“Without immediate action, these inefficiencies will continue to destabilise the meat sector.”
Jason Aldiss, AIMS
Jason Aldiss, head of external affairs at AIMS, said: “The situation is untenable. We are seeing a complete failure in the consistency of veterinary controls, which is compounded by the inaccuracy of the manual, outdated export certification system. Errors in veterinary certification are causing substantial losses for the industry, and without immediate action, these inefficiencies will continue to destabilise the meat sector.”
Aldiss highlighted that additional paperwork and compliance costs for each lorry carrying an export load can be up to £1,500 while UK importers are being charged up to £870 per truck in customs fees. He said that this was happening even when only 2% of consignments were inspected, and said the cost would be “passed down to industry and the consumer”.
Inconsistencies lead to inefficiency
AIMS said that “inconsistencies in veterinary decision making across the country and at BCPs would exacerbate these issues” which it said would lead to inefficiency, supply chain disruption and possibly avoidable food spoilage.
Aldiss said: “Inaccurate veterinary certification is another ongoing issue, with the manual, antiquated system in place for export health certificates (EHCs) also prone to human error.
“We are regularly hearing of incorrect documentation that results in shipment rejections. These mistakes are costly to businesses and contribute to waste, as perishable products are delayed beyond their usable life.
“AIMS’ view is that veterinary agreement with the EU is urgently needed. It would address these critical issues by aligning veterinary standards, removing the need for EHCs, and ensuring that veterinary controls are applied uniformly across the UK.”
He said this would “dramatically reduce costs”, prevent delays and “restore the efficiency that existed before Brexit”.
Aldiss continued: “It is essential that the UK Government acts now. Inconsistency and inaccuracy in veterinary controls are crippling our industry. We need a comprehensive veterinary agreement with the EU to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK meat sector.
“Failure to secure such an agreement will not only continue to harm UK meat and poultry producer’s growth ambitions but will also weaken the country’s food security and sustainability in the long term.”
