Multi-ingredient products, which include meat, will be subject to new Brexit legislation from 21st April, the European Commission has confirmed.
According to industry bodies, the new legislation could cost manufacturers millions in extra costs, as products with multiple ingredients will require new health assessment forms when exported to the EU.
Products that are ‘shelf stable’ but still contain meat, and other ingredients such as eggs, will also require vet-checked health certificates when being shipped to the EU, something trade associations say could increase paperwork by up to a third.
“The added bureaucracy will prove costly to businesses of all sizes?.?.?.?it is vital that any checks which are undertaken are done so in a proportionate manner.”
The new rules will also be imposed on goods being to Northern Ireland, which Ian Wright CBE, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said would make exporting across the Irish Sea “unviable” for manufacturers.
Wright told The Financial Times: “The added bureaucracy will prove costly to businesses of all sizes?.?.?.?it is vital that any checks which are undertaken are done so in a proportionate manner.”
The news comes as Government ministers considered taking a relaxed approach to post-Brexit border controls on food imports from the EU amid fears of shortages in supermarkets.
Brexit minister Lord Frost was reported to be considering a “lighter touch” on certain food imports from 1st April, when goods such as animal and food products will face additional checks.
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.
