£750k of British meat seized by French authorities

Whites Transport Services Ltd confirmed that five UK trailers have been stopped by the French veterinary control service (SIVEP) due to traces of wool found on individual lambs. 

According to the source, French authorities ordered that all product must be destroyed in France. 

A spokesperson for the company said: “This represents approximately £750,000 worth of British meat during the busiest and most time-critical period of the year. 

“To make matters worse, the trailers are not being allowed to return to the UK with the product, meaning hauliers and abattoirs have no control over next steps or costs. 

“Losses of this scale are simply not sustainable for UK abattoirs or the haulage operators who support them. Many hauliers are already under extreme pressure at this time of year, and incidents like this make it increasingly difficult to maintain export operations or meet customer demand.” 

The company added that SIVEP inspections have become a major challenge since Brexit, and unfortunately situations like this are a key reason why the number of British meat hauliers working into Europe has fallen so dramatically over the last few years. 

Industry’s response

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, confirmed that over the past six months the organisation has been informed of several exporters whose loads were rejected.

He said: “To begin with, this appeared to be because of misalignment of rules, such as changing thresholds for lead in offal, and processors took steps to resolve this problem. More recently there have been problems with specks caused by lungworm in lungs even though products are signed off as being fit for consumption by officials here in the UK.  

“However, the current situation suggests this disruption is being ramped up with a concerning number of loads being impounded for tiny fragments of wool and hair being found on carcasses while nothing has changed in inspections pre export. What is making this much worse is that loads are impounded and not being allowed to return to the UK, resulting in huge costs for drivers and refrigeration as well as the significant risk of total product value being lost.  

“The situation has become unacceptable and appears to be politically driven and related to the renegotiation of trade rules – it’s part of a national political issue, yet individual exporters are again being hit hard.”  

Mr Stocker added that he stays in touch with the UK chief veterinary officer and senior DEFRA staff to discuss the urgent need to find a resolution.  

“This is without doubt a time when industry and officials need to be working as one for national benefit. While nothing here in the UK seems to have changed, I’d also call for processors and exporters to be as vigilant as possible and avoid any situation that could cause consignments to be held up,” he concluded. 

A spokesperson for Quality Meat Scotland added: “We’re aware of the disappointing situation involving the lorries transporting lamb that have been stopped at the French border. At this stage, we don’t have further detail to add, but we are continuing to monitor the issue.” 

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