The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) is warning that many food businesses are unaware of changes to EU-UK exporting legislation, and that UK food retailers, hospitality businesses and consumers should expect “significant disruption” in the Christmas trading window as a result.

A new survey by the CCF has demonstrated what the trade body has called a “disturbing lack of preparedness” of food production businesses in Europe that supply to the UK, with 39% of the surveyed businesses not aware of the new rules and timeframes announced by UK Government.

One of the prominent post-Brexit changes to import rules declares that export health certificates signed by a qualified certifying officer will become mandatory for every consignment of ‘medium risk’ meat, dairy and fish products exported from the EU to the UK as of the 31st October 2023.

When surveyed, 41% of respondents said they do not have plans in place to ensure compliance with this crucial requirement.

Industry-wide communication campaign needed, says CCF

Shane Brennan, chief executive of the CCF, said: “It is deeply worrying that well over a third of these food producing businesses supplying into the UK are not aware that these significant changes are looming. Communications from the UK Government to these businesses has not been good enough and it is the food retailers, hospitality businesses and consumers here in the UK who will pay the price with disruption, delays and losses.

“We have written to ministers setting out our survey findings and asking for the 31st October implementation of the export health certificates to be moved back to 31st January 2024. Government must use the extra time to deliver a much wider and better resourced communications campaign, starting now, to increase awareness among EU businesses in enough time for a full implementation on 31st January next year.

“By then the UK should also have a fully staffed border inspection team, enforcing the new rules but also providing support and advice for these EU importers. With so much stress, cost inflation and other pressures in the food supply chain this year, this marginal change in the implementation plans could make a big difference.”

Increasing costs for businesses, retailers and consumers

The survey also showed that 78% of the EU based food producing businesses surveyed believe costs will increase to their UK customers as a result of the new rules.

Brennan said: “Meeting the new export health certificate requirement will increase costs for the EU food producers supplying into the UK, even more so for businesses scrambling at the last minute. These costs will be passed onto UK retailers, ultimately leading to higher prices for UK consumers and pushing food inflation even higher.”

When asked about their intentions regarding the sale of their products to UK customers after the 31st October 2023, only 60% of respondents said they plan to seek to continue their service to the same customers at the same frequency. Another 10% plan to reduce the frequency and range of UK based customers they serve, 7% plan to stop altogether and 22% said they don’t know at this stage.