The UK food industry has called on the government to scrap or delay the implementation of ‘Not for EU’ labels on food products sold across the UK.
The labelling – which is designed to prevent goods moved from Great Britain into Northern Ireland being subsequently sold into Ireland – was planned under the Windsor Framework agreement, struck between then-prime minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in February 2023.
The previous government set a date of 1 October 2024 for the implementation of the labelling on meat and dairy products, before more products would be included in the requirements next year.
‘Already too late’
Politico’s Morning Trade newsletter reports that representatives from the Provision Trade Federation, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Chilled Food Association have submitted a letter to the government stating that the planned October implementation of the labelling cannot be achieved because it is “already too late”.
“We accordingly believe it is imperative either for there to be an immediate decision not to proceed or, at a minimum, the announcement of a formal six-month moratorium to allow more time for deliberation.”
The government is said to be reviewing the existing plans after the Conservative administration launched a consultation on them earlier this year. However, trade bodies say they are in “limbo” over whether to change their packaging in anticipation of a potential change to the deadline.
Several associations also threatened legal action over the costs of the changes in March, as reported previously by the Daily Update.
The letter from industry called for a quick resolution:
“We would strongly urge you to draw a line under this poorly handled chapter and make the earliest possible announcement to that effect.”
‘Fight your corner’
Today (12 September) is Back British Farming Day and the environment, food and rural affairs secretary, Steve Reed, addressed the NFU to promise strong support for farmers.
“The farming budget will be part of the spending review and announcements will be made at that time but I’m making the case to the Treasury to maximise support for farmers.
“I will fight your corner in this process.”
‘No more deals like Australia’
Yesterday (11 September), he told an NFU parliamentary reception that the UK would not sign new free trade agreements (FTAs) in the style of the recent deals with Australia and New Zealand, according to Politico.
Those deals were criticised by trade groups for offering unfair terms to UK farmers, including former NFU president Minette Batters.
Protecting UK farmers in future trade deals, Reed said, means “no more deals like the ones we saw with Australia and New Zealand that undermine and undercut farmers. In the future we [will] protect our farmers during trade deals.”
Tom Bradshaw, the president of the NFU, told Politico:
“We’re asking for core standards to be implemented within trade, which would make it illegal to bring in products produced to lower standards than we produce here.”
‘Get food exports moving’
Reed also reiterated a government commitment to achieving a veterinary agreement with the EU to “get food exports moving across the borders again”.
The Independent also reported yesterday that Bradshaw told the event reception that the upcoming government budget “is essential in giving Britain’s farmers and growers the confidence they desperately need to invest for the future”.
The NFU is calling for the government to boost the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) funding after the department’s annual report showed a £130m underspend in its 2023/24 budget.