Seized British lamb cleared for return to UK from France
11th December 2025
Several loads of lamb that were stopped earlier this week at a Border Control Post (BCP) in Calais, France, have now been released for return to the UK, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has confirmed.
Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss has negotiated with the French officials the release of consignments of lamb impounded at the BCP. This decision has been made on the agreement that none of the product contained in these affected loads can be consigned to go back to the EU.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “I personally want to thank Christine and the CVO team for resolving this problem as quickly as they could. NSA was contacted by one of the processors involved earlier this week who had tens of thousands of pounds worth of lamb being held and was desperate for help to resolve the problem.
“NSA contacted Christine, who was thankfully aware and working on it, and I also spoke to DEFRA to ensure the issue also had their attention. It was good that NSA was able to help build communication between the processor and officials.
“I would add my plea to processors and exporters affected that absolutely no attempt is made to re-present any of the product contained in the affected loads for re-export. If we want the support of our CVO and officials in the future, we must not do anything to undermine agreements and trust. I would also make a plea to FSA that meat inspectors are fully aware of these risks and that they work with due diligence.”
The situation
Several refrigerated lorries containing meat from UK processors were stopped after inspectors reported traces of wool being found on individual lamb carcasses.
The carcasses had previously been stamped as fit for human consumption by meat inspectors in the UK, on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
This latest rejection of consignments follows reports to NSA from other exporters of rejected loads, with issues being identified such as parasitic damage to lungs and livers and misalignment between the UK and EU on lead levels in offal.
The NSA said it questions if the situation is politically driven and related to the renegotiation of trade rules but appreciates that it is a crucial market for UK-produced lamb processors.
Mr Stocker continued: “It is important that all exporters take note of this incident and be aware that inspections at BCPs over the channel are very thorough and appear to have become even tighter than normal, and we should present no opportunity, or reasons, for rejections.
“DEFRA will be discussing these issues with the EU border control force with the aim of avoiding future disruption, but whether we like it or not, they are the gateway to our marketplace.”
Industry’s response
In response to the current situation, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) noted that British meat is among the safest, finest, and most rigorously produced in the world.
A spokesperson for the association added: “Our producers, processors, and veterinarians operate to standards that consistently exceed international norms. It is precisely this commitment to excellence that has made British meat so highly valued by domestic and international buyers alike.
“The core concern for the sector, however, is that the detentions at the French border are exposing long-standing weaknesses in the FSA’s delivery of official controls.
“Industry pays many millions of pounds annually for statutory meat inspection, yet it is industry – not the regulator – that is now being forced to implement secondary and more robust quality checks on carcasses to safeguard export operations. This duplication of effort, cost, and responsibility is being borne solely because the regulatory service is not meeting the standards required.”
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