UK lamb consignments released after being held at Calais

French officials released the consignments of lamb impounded at the BCP on Wednesday 10th December, after several refrigerated lorries containing meat from UK processors were being held there.

The lorries were stopped after inspectors reported traces of wool being found on individual lamb carcases, which had previously been stamped as fit for human consumption by meat inspectors in the UK on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker stated: “NSA wholly welcomes the news from Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Christine Middlemiss that she negotiated and agreed that French officials release the consignments of lamb impounded at the BCP… this release has been made on the agreement that none of the product contained in these affected loads can be consigned to go back to the EU.

“I personally want to thank Christine and the CVO team for resolving this problem as quickly as they could. NSA was contacted by one of the processors involved earlier this week who had tens of thousands of pounds worth of lamb being held and was desperate for help to resolve the problem. NSA contacted Christine, who was thankfully aware and working on it, and I also spoke to Defra to ensure the issue also had their attention. It was good that NSA was able to help build communication between the processor and officials.

“I would add my plea to processors and exporters affected that absolutely no attempt is made to re-present any of the product contained in the affected loads for re-export. If we want the support of our CVO and officials in the future we must not do anything to undermine agreements and trust. I would also make a plea to FSA that meat inspectors are fully aware of these risks and that they work with due diligence.”

Stocker continued: “It is important that all exporters take note of this incident and be aware that inspections at BCPs over the channel are very thorough and appear to have become even tighter than normal, and we should present no opportunity, or reasons, for rejections.

“Defra will be discussing these issues with EU border control force with the aim of avoiding future disruption, but whether we like it or not they are the gateway to our marketplace.”

AIMS requests a review of the FSA service model

A spokesperson for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) commented: “The UK meat sector is facing escalating disruption as French border veterinary officials continue to detain and block entry to multiple lorryloads of premium British lamb. These incidents - now occurring with increasing frequency - have been ongoing for many months and are widely viewed across the industry as part of a broader deterioration in trading conditions as the EU and UK prepare to negotiate a new SPS agreement.

“Processors, exporters, hauliers, and producers have expressed deep frustration that the French authorities are justifying their actions by citing alleged meat inspection failures attributable to the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA). These consignments consist of exceptionally high-quality, high-value lamb destined for discerning European customers who recognise the UK as a global leader in meat safety and production standards.”

“The core concern for the sector, however, is that the detentions at the French border are exposing long-standing weaknesses in the FSA’s delivery of official controls. Industry pays many millions of pounds annually for statutory meat inspection, yet it is industry - not the regulator - that is now being forced to implement secondary and more robust quality checks on carcases to safeguard export operations. This duplication of effort, cost, and responsibility is being borne solely because the regulatory service is not meeting the standards required.

“At the root of these failures is a systemic over-reliance on poorly trained inspection staff, mainly recruited from overseas through profit-driven contractors whose commercial priorities do not align with the delivery of a high-quality public service. Many of these individuals are unfamiliar with UK meat hygiene legislation, species-specific pathology, or the detailed inspection competencies required. The result is an inconsistent and unreliable inspection framework that leaves exporters exposed and undermines confidence at EU border inspection posts.”

“These border disruptions highlight the urgent need for Government intervention and a fundamental review of the FSA’s service model.”

Tony Goodger, AIMS

AIMS continued: “Despite this, the UK meat industry continues to uphold exemplary standards. It is the dedication, professionalism, and responsibility of farmers, processors, veterinarians, and frontline operatives that ensure British meat retains its reputation as the best in the world - safe, traceable, ethically produced, and of exceptional quality.

“As the UK enters a critical period in SPS negotiations, these border disruptions highlight the urgent need for Government intervention and a fundamental review of the FSA’s service model. A robust, competent, and fit-for-purpose inspection system is essential not only for maintaining access to existing markets but also for securing future trade opportunities.

“The industry calls on the UK Government to address these issues without delay, engage constructively with their French counterparts, and ensure the FSA fulfils its statutory responsibilities. British exports, British businesses, and the reputation of British food are at stake.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We are working closely with French authorities and the companies involved to resolve this situation immediately.

“We are negotiating an SPS agreement that will boost food trade and remove border checks while protecting our collective biosecurity.”