Brexit Import controls delayed for the FOURTH TIME!

It may also interest you to know that I and everyone I know and I would expect the rest of GN have had no probs at all with anything at all substandard, food or anything else.

GrannyGravy13 There is total freedom of movement of people and goods across the EU member states.

Indeed.

Total movement here as well. Purchase from any British decent organic butcher you choose, no need to support the 'fraudsters'.

The good thing is that if we were sensible and introduced various closer working measures, then this worry over the quality of the meat would disappear.

It will come.

Whitewavemark2

The good thing is that if we were sensible and introduced various closer working measures, then this worry over the quality of the meat would disappear.

It will come.

I am obviously missing something here, the meat is originating/coming from/through EU Countries with no border checks or controls, so if we were still in the EU it wouldn’t be checked at our borders anyway.

Food moving within the EU would presumably be subject to checks by local public health inspectors, just as it is in the UK. Intra EU traders who violate the RU food standards legislation would be subject to prosecution and sanctions. As we are no longer in the EU we don't have legislative protection in the same way. Would we be able to prosecute a supplier from an EU state?

MaizieD

Food moving within the EU would presumably be subject to checks by local public health inspectors, just as it is in the UK. Intra EU traders who violate the RU food standards legislation would be subject to prosecution and sanctions. As we are no longer in the EU we don't have legislative protection in the same way. Would we be able to prosecute a supplier from an EU state?

Not sure on the prosecution part.

So basically we need more food inspectors in the U.K., which we would have needed if we had remained part of the EU, so nothing to do with us no longer being a member state.

I was horrified to find that meat from deforested areas of S America was reaching the EU. Animals subjected to horrendously long journeys without food or water, such that they lost huge amounts of weight, in such heat that someone couldn’t touch the iron bars of the lorries. I wouldn’t eat any meat which didn’t come from animals raised and slaughtered in humane conditions in the UK if you paid me. When I eat out, if the provenance of meat isn’t clear I always choose the vegetarian option.

So much for the EU.

Hmm I'm not sure what dodgy Spanish rotten food was being served up, but 40 crew members on the Brittany Ferries ship from Santander have just gone down with food poisoning, (not nirovirus), and the boat was diverted to Brest to take the sufferers to hospital. I hope they make a full recovery.
Nothing necessarily to do with this Brexit thread, but shows poor food standards are to be found within the EU.

GrannyGravy13

MaizieD

Food moving within the EU would presumably be subject to checks by local public health inspectors, just as it is in the UK. Intra EU traders who violate the RU food standards legislation would be subject to prosecution and sanctions. As we are no longer in the EU we don't have legislative protection in the same way. Would we be able to prosecute a supplier from an EU state?

Not sure on the prosecution part.

So basically we need more food inspectors in the U.K., which we would have needed if we had remained part of the EU, so nothing to do with us no longer being a member state.

It’s a problem internally within the UK, not just an EU issue. Abattoirs and meat processing plants are very regularly in the news for breaching hygiene regulations, and more are closed down every year. Here’s one of the latest, but you don’t have to look hard to find many more.
www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2023/03/30/rotting-meat-supermarkets/

Norah

GrannyGravy13 There is total freedom of movement of people and goods across the EU member states.

Indeed.

Total movement here as well. Purchase from any British decent organic butcher you choose, no need to support the 'fraudsters'.

This kind of food/meat won't find their way to your local butcher, indeed. It will find its way into cheap prepared, processed foods, at the cheaper end. The concept of choice, and buyin from local trusted butcher, is not one for the masses- that is the reality.

What is the proportion of the population of the UK, I wonder- buy all their meat from local organic butcher?

Yes, free movement in EU, but very tightly controlled, with very tight regulations and provenance declared by law in many countries.

And NO Callistemon, those issues are not being faced by other European countries. Brexit and the failure to plan for the consequences, and the total incompetence of the Government, has left the UK wide opened to fraudsters and the mafias out there. They will exploit this as long as they can

So how have these fraudsters and the Mafia survived so long in EU countries?

Animal welfare and environmental impact is also a priority for us and a key concern for our shoppers. By working with Red Tractor farmers, we know that they take pride in producing meat that has been produced in accordance with high animal welfare regulations whilst safeguarding against environmental impact.”

Perhaps because the OP doesn't live or shop for food in the UK she might not be aware of the Red Tractor logo, also do you really think restaurants or food companies would use dodgy meat they would be shut down

So basically we need more food inspectors in the U.K., which we would have needed if we had remained part of the EU, so nothing to do with us no longer being a member state.

What I am saying, GG13, is that EU member states have legislation which can be used in the EU to sanction rogue traders from any member state. What I am suggesting is, now that we no longer under that legislative umbrella, do we have any mechanism to bring rogue EU exporters to book? I doubt that we do.

I'm sorry that I don't seem to be able to get my point across. It's nothing to do with the numbers of public health inspectors in the UK, it's to do with what action can we take against traders from the EU who violate the EU food standards (which I believe are still ours as the EU regulations were taken into UK law and haven't been repealed)

When I go into our local butcher’s, who only sells locally sourced meat (if it’s free range it doesn’t need the additional label of organic which fp has decided to introduce), I see people buying very small quantities to suit their needs. A lot of older people don’t have big appetites and if they only want one chop, two rashers of bacon or two sausages he happily sells them that. There’s always a queue and he will happily deliver no matter how small the order. You really have no idea fp.

I have posted the concerns voiced by the Food Standards Authority, but I'm sure that GNet posters know far more about food safety than they do...

Shall we shine a light at that esteemed Swiss company, Nestle
Yes ? They’ve come up with some corkers to save money ( or fiddle) unfortunately they killed people along the way.

utopia.org/guide/crime-controversy-nestles-5-biggest-scandals-explained/

Germanshepherdsmum

When I go into our local butcher’s, who only sells locally sourced meat (if it’s free range it doesn’t need the additional label of organic which fp has decided to introduce), I see people buying very small quantities to suit their needs. A lot of older people don’t have big appetites and if they only want one chop, two rashers of bacon or two sausages he happily sells them that. There’s always a queue and he will happily deliver no matter how small the order. You really have no idea fp.

Of course I have a clue- I had such a butcher at the bottom of my road, there is one near our flat, there are several near my daughters and other family members, who are all doing very well thank you. You have NO idea about the difficulties facing individuals and families who are truly struggling in this crisis, NONE at all. And just repeating 'Me and mine are alright Jack' is just so insensitive.

I am talking about those families who are really struggling at the moment, and cheap end ready made meals, and in work cantines, where budgets are so tight, etc.

And of course, this is compounded with other food producing and sourcing issues. Who has not go a clue here, the experienced real farmer, or Anne blooming Widdecombe?

youtu.be/PemoVSstv3c

Is she on Gransnet, I wonder.

Germanshepherdsmum

When I go into our local butcher’s, who only sells locally sourced meat (if it’s free range it doesn’t need the additional label of organic which fp has decided to introduce), I see people buying very small quantities to suit their needs. A lot of older people don’t have big appetites and if they only want one chop, two rashers of bacon or two sausages he happily sells them that. There’s always a queue and he will happily deliver no matter how small the order. You really have no idea fp.

Oh, FGS. Do ignore the government's figures. Nearly 50% of the food 'on the plate' in the UK is imported. We must inevitably buy imported foods in some form or another.

I'm sure that most of us have a lovely local butcher who sells pukka met; we've got three in our local small town, but I doubt very much they serve all of its population. Probably a few hundred out of a population of a few thousand. The remainder of which pop off to the local supermarkets and bulk freezer shops to buy goodness knows what...

Gnet posters are so relentlessly middle bl**dy class...

MaizieD

Gnet posters are so relentlessly middle bl**dy class...

Is that a crime? (asking for a friend)

MerylStreep

Shall we shine a light at that esteemed Swiss company, Nestle
Yes ? They’ve come up with some corkers to save money ( or fiddle) unfortunately they killed people along the way.

utopia.org/guide/crime-controversy-nestles-5-biggest-scandals-explained/

Hurrah, and for once, we agree. Nestlé's business aims and tactics are disgusting, and aimed mainly at the poorest in the third world. Most of the people I know agree, and would not own shares or work there. Sadly 1000s of expats work for them, many from UK, and on vast salaries. Despicable- glad we agree. What is has to do with this thread however, I have NO idea.

From Farming Business today- they are very concerned. Because they have to abide by all EU rules and all their exported foods to EU are thoroughly checked- but they suffer unfair competition from unchecked food coming in from EU- and now also from Indonesia and Australia.

Concerns over food security and exposure to disease

With the government missing its most recent legislative timeline, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy has called on the Cabinet Office to make a formal announcement on the delay and provide a fresh timescale for introducing border checks.

“The Scottish food and farming sector is yet again angered and appalled at a decision that seriously disregards the interests of our home food producers in favour of a cheap food policy that encourages asymmetric trade.”

While the government was due to roll out a new Border target operating model (TOM) on 31st October, followed by physical import checks starting in January 2024 and a full regime in place by October 2024, NFU Scotland was extremely disappointed to learn that ongoing delays are set to continue.

Mr Kennedy also highlighted that the government’s “lax approach” to border controls increases the risk of farmers and crofters being exposed to devastating animal and plant diseases such as African Swine Fever.

“The longer there is no effective system in place, the greater the distortion of the market for UK producers – with importers facing less bureaucracy and cost than those looking to export produce from the UK to EU – and the longer our borders are left open to the potential introduction of plant and animal diseases.

“We understand that the UK Government will shortly set out the new timetable for the import regime, to finally deliver a level playing field for UK farming, food and drink sectors. Regrettably, there will be little confidence amongst industry that the timetable will be adhered to,” Mr Kennedy concluded.

British Veterinary Association president Malcolm Morley also expressed frustration over the government delaying the introduction of crucial border checks on EU food imports, adding the move is putting the UK’s biosecurity at serious risk of imported diseases.

“The British Veterinary Association urges the Government to urgently press ahead with introducing the checks or risk the safety and security of our agricultural industry, food security and UK public health.”

GrannyGravy13

MaizieD

Gnet posters are so relentlessly middle bl**dy class...

Is that a crime? (asking for a friend)

No, I am- all in my family are (and some a bit more on top) and all of our friends.

It does not stop us understanding the issues faced by those who are not, and see that they are the most likely victims or poor quality foods - and empathise.

MaizieD Oh, FGS. Do ignore the government's figures. Nearly 50% of the food 'on the plate' in the UK is imported. We must inevitably buy imported foods in some form or another.

Imports DO include much of what we all eat, not at meat related. Rice, flours, corn products (flour, starch, canned, tortillas), quinoa, legumes, pulses, some sugar, some salts, some vinegars, mustards, fruit, veg.

And I suppose some eat Nestle products, coca-cola, pepsico, mars, Coffees/teas from who knows where. Olive oil, nuts, avos.

I have empathy and understanding it’s not exclusive to those who voted remain.

I also have a DH still involved with an international charity organisation.

GrannyGravy13

I have empathy and understanding it’s not exclusive to those who voted remain.

I also have a DH still involved with an international charity organisation.

So why do you keep saying 'Me and mine are fine, alright Jack' - very strange.