AIMS challenges new French border checks on UK meat exports

Since August 1, hauliers transporting hanging meat carcasses to France have been required to assist French official veterinarians during border inspections by moving carcasses within trailers. Exporters say consignments could be refused entry if the requirement is not met.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has instructed lawyers to challenge what it describes as the 'proportionality and practical implementation' of the new inspection regime.

Legal documents have been submitted to the French Directorate General for Food and SIVEP, France’s veterinary and phytosanitary border inspection authority.

AIMS executive director Dr Jason Aldiss said the organisation’s priority was to ensure inspection requirements remained workable for exporters.

“Our priority is to protect the ability of UK exporters to trade efficiently while ensuring that any inspection requirements remain practical, proportionate and legally justified,” he said.

The organisation argues there are 'legitimate questions' over whether the new arrangements place 'inappropriate operational burdens' on exporters and hauliers.

AIMS said it is prepared to challenge individual consignments if it believes refusals are unjustified and is also developing the basis of a potential complaint to the European Commission if required.

The latest dispute follows previous tensions over UK meat exports into France.

In December 2025, a shipment of British lamb worth around £650,000 was seized at Calais after French inspectors reportedly found traces of wool on carcasses that had already been certified as fit for human consumption by UK meat inspectors acting on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.

One of the four consignments remained stranded at Calais for three weeks before discussions between UK and French chief veterinary officers resolved the dispute.