A CUMBRIAN abattoir boss has warned that meat exports from his Carlisle base could be hit if issues with transport to Europe continue... after wagon loads full of lamb destined for the continent were stopped by French authorities.
Several refrigerated lorries containing meat from UK processors were being held at the Border Control Post, stopped after inspectors reported traces of wool being found on individual lamb carcasses.
The carcasses had previously been stamped as fit for human consumption by meat inspectors in the UK, on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The West Scottish Lamb abattoir, based at Carlisle, was 'the main victim' of the hold-up according to the Daily Mail, with four lorries full of their produce being stopped by Sivep, the French veterinary border inspection service.
Related News
- UK pressed to strengthen border checks after Spanish ASF case
- Scottish Parliament marks 15 years of lamb for St Andrew’s Day
- Irish probe in Brazil sparks fresh backlash over EU-Mercosur trade deal
David Burton, the company's joint owner, told the paper that their first lorry was stopped three weeks ago.
He said: "There's due to be a realignment of rules between Britain and Europe, with checks at Calais stopping – but the opposite has happened, with checks being upped.
"That meant that a consignment of lamb going to Belgium was stopped at Calais after going through the tunnel on the train. They wouldn't let it through after finding wool.
"That had not been considered a problem for 30 years."
Mr Burton told the Mail that the first load which was stopped is still in Calais three weeks on, adding: "We double-checked another load going to Belgium the next week, with a team of Food Standards Agency inspectors working on it.
"But when it arrived in Calais, the French inspectors found a very small piece of wool - I'm talking less than a halfpenny piece - and wouldn't let it through. It has since happened to two more of our consignments, one at Caen in Normandy.
"When the truck drivers send me pictures of the wool, they warn I won't even be able to see it.
"Lamb export is 80 per cent of our business and we employ close to 100 people. But if we get another load stopped, we'll have to stop exporting."
High-profile hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones posted a video on social media calling the situation a 'disgrace'.
"These lambs have been stamped, they've been checked by vets in this country," he said. "Lamb is selling well. European people want to buy it. We need to make sure that we're able to get it across the water."
As of Thursday, it is understood that it has now been agreed between the UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and the French CVO that the consignment will be authorised for return to the UK.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) said it welcomed news that 'a number' of consignments of lamb being held at a Border Control Post (BCP) in Calais this week have now been released for return.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “NSA wholly welcomes the news from CVO Christine Middlemiss that she negotiated and agreed that French officials release the consignments of lamb impounded at the BCP yesterday evening (Wednesday).
"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."
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."
It isn't clear what will now happen to the affected lamb upon its return to the UK.
West Scottish Lamb has been approached for comment.
Share