British Meat Processors Association
BMPA updates, as they happen, on developing issues in the meat industry.
Contains links to member only content.
14 hrs ago
As part of their ongoing inquiry into fairness in the food supply chain, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will question representatives from Tesco, Sainsbury’s Asda, Waitrose and Lidl on Tuesday 30 April at 2:30pm.
The committee has previously taken evidence from academics, food producers, and manufacturers but, in this fourth evidence session, MPs’ focus will be on the relationship between food production costs, food prices and retail prices, and how structural relationships between food producers, manufacturers, and retailers could be improved.
Witnesses will be questioned on the nature of retailers’ profits in the context of the high food price environment and how they ensure that profits are distributed throughout their supply chains. They will also be asked about the extent to which the position of consumers is considered when setting prices.
14 hrs ago
This week saw a discussion between government officials, including Ministers Spencer and Greg Hands, about UK trade policy and its impact on agriculture. They discussed the UK’s strategic approach to trade negotiations, and how industry is consulted away from the negotiating room.
The meeting also covered various topics such as interdepartmental cooperation in shaping trade strategy, the transition from EU subsidies to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and the establishment of a new Food Security Index. Concerns were raised about the lack of a coherent UK trade strategy for food and agriculture. We have a write-up of the main points discussed.
15 hrs ago
This week saw a proposal for a vote of no confidence tabled by the National Sheep Association at a Red Tractor board meeting. We will be keeping across this story as it develops.
17 hrs ago
MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee have written to Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay, demanding “a clear and unambiguous explanation by the Department as to how import checks will be rolled out.”
While the UK government had announced plans to begin risk-based physical checks on medium and high-risk goods from the EU starting April 30, it was since revealed that they intended to phase in its risk model to avoid congestion at border control posts, initially setting the check rate to zero for all commodity groups.
The main messages from government have been that they will take a pragmatic approach, focusing on high and medium risk products. But no detail has yet emerged on exactly how their phased implementation will work and how many checks will be happening. Nor has it been explained how consignments with errors in their paperwork (currently running at around 33%) will be dealt with.
19 Apr
For those in the meat industry with a Times subscription, this latest article by Martin Samuel is worth a look. It’s a poignant retrospective of the iconic meat market as it prepares to move to Dagenham after 1000 years of trading on the site. It’s worth it for the photos alone.
19 Apr
This week saw the EU propose opening negotiations with the UK to allow 18–30-year-olds free movement for up to four years. Such movement would not restrict people’s ability to undertake different activities during their stay, nor would it be subject to any quotas.
This softening of their previously hard-line on such concessions is a major shift in EU/UK relations and could pave the way for a more pragmatic way to fill the skills gap left by Brexit. While this must first be agreed by leaders at the European Council, which meets next May, it would potentially bring a raft of benefits for young people and businesses.
19 Apr
In a foretaste of new monitoring, assessment and investigation measures starting in July 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) latest report outlines the key breaches they’ll be targeting. They say they’ll have ” a particular focus on unqualified sustainability and comparative environmental impact claims” in the food industry. This includes claims surrounding regenerative farming, which is gaining prominence in public discourse.
As well as continued engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority, Defra and industry stakeholders, ASA will be producing new guidance via the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) in a series of Insight Articles to be published this summer.
19 Apr
With just days to go before the new border control regime is due to commence, the Government has told port authorities that it will not ‘turn on’ the planned health and safety checks on EU imports because they risk ‘significant disruption’.
In a presentation to port managers, Defra revealed that the new system is not fully prepared for the level of checks they now expect will be needed. In our latest article, Nan Jones, BMPA’s Technical Policy Manager describes why that might be.
12 Apr
Lucas Daglish’s latest article highlights the increasing integration of AI technologies across different sectors of the meat supply chain. AI’s predictive analytics capabilities offer farmers insights into livestock management, enabling data-driven decisions for herd health and resource utilisation. On-farm AI monitoring systems enhance animal welfare by providing real-time insights into behaviour and health, allowing for early intervention and minimising losses.
In processing and distribution, AI-driven sorting and grading systems ensure consistent product quality while reducing manual labour and errors. And predictive maintenance systems optimise equipment management, minimising downtime and enhancing operational efficiency.
The integration of AI in the UK meat industry is shaping up to be a transformative force, promising greater efficiency, product quality, and environmental sustainability. Its adoption represents another significant step in the modernisation of this traditional sector.
12 Apr
A research team from several universities has analysed various methods of pig production from organic to indoor to RSPCA assured. Their analysis included land use, emissions, welfare and antibiotic use. They found that “none of the farm types performed consistently well across all four areas” although certain individual farms “did well in all domains”.
It illustrates the problem of developing a simple labelling system that is capable of telling the whole story behind how meat was produced. It’s not a simple case of outdoor and organic is ‘good’ or indoor is ‘bad’. It just doesn’t work that way. One of the report authors did a good explanation of why we can’t take such a simplistic approach on Farming Today this morning (listen from the start). She also explained that primary, farm-by-farm data could be the answer, but that is currently a long way off. New Food’s Grace Gallar has a good write up.
11 Apr
The introduction of new post-Brexit border controls in the UK is anticipated to cost businesses approximately £2 billion and contribute to higher inflation, according to a report by Allianz Trade. It says that, as these products represent around 6% of the basket of goods used to calculate UK headline inflation, these additional costs could raise inflation by 0.2%.
Starting on 30 April, the controls, agreed under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, are expected to be the equivalent of adding a 10% tariff to imports within the first year, with meat, dairy and fish most affected. But MP Jacob Rees-Mogg argues that the new border checks are “an unnecessary act of self harm that will increase prices in an era of inflation.”
In a separate report, UK in a Changing Europe highlight the increased pace of regulatory reforms in the run-up to European elections in June, contrasting it with the UK legislative agenda which has “all but dried up”. The issue here is the UK’s accelerating divergence from EU rules that will “de facto apply in the UK” for companies wishing to continue selling to our nearest and largest trading partner.
11 Apr
On 3 June Richard Hampton will take up the role of AHDB’s Director of International Trade Development. He replaces Phil Hadley who leaves to become the Secretary General of the International Meat Secretariat.
Mr Hampton’s role is of key importance to UK meat processors in gaining access to new markets. While most products of animal origin we produce in the this country are sold on the domestic market, export markets are a vital for carcase balance and key to overall profitability.
Developing international trade for British meat is a role that demands a deep knowledge of the industry to facilitate technical solutions and export approval. It requires close working relationships with producers, processors, UK Government departments and their overseas equivalents. We’ve valued the contribution Phil Hadley made to advancing overseas trade, and we look forward to working closely with Richard over the coming years.
4 Apr
From strained import and export processes, labour shortages and controversial trade deals through to wider issues with the UK food supply chain and how politicians are addressing them, Nick Allen CEO of BMPA explained to Josh Minchin and Grace Galler what’s currently troubling the meat sector and why in its current form, Brexit is not working for the BMPA’s members.
4 Apr
Just in the nick of time, the Government has published information on rates and eligibility for the Common User Charge (CUC) which comes into effect on 30 April for imported and transiting animal and plant products coming into Great Britain. Companies affected by this have been frustrated at the delay in getting the details of charges and how they’ll be implemented. It leaves little time to adapt to the added expenses.
A question that’s already arisen is why low-risk POAO will be charged, but low-risk plants and plant products will not face a £10 per commodity line (up to 5 commodity lines). Perhaps that will be answered at an upcoming free to attend webinar on 10 April hosted by Defra to provide guidance, and answer such questions on the CUC.
But it’s small businesses that will be disproportionately affected. Their smaller volumes mean a higher cost per consignment, potentially making exports to GB unfeasible and forcing some small players to stop importing certain goods. If this happens it could lead to less choice for consumers and stoke food price inflation.
Once again, this scenario highlights the far-reaching consequences of Brexit.
4 Apr
Fund manager and equity analyst for over 30 years, Glen Nimmo has taken up two positions at AHDB from 1 April. He now sits on the main AHDB Board and will be chairing the Pork sector council, picking up the baton of the pork sector five year plan, which will run for the duration of his three year tenure. Mr Nimmo started his career at his family business Nimmo Quality Meats, a multi-site integrated pork processing business, covering slaughter, primal processing and retail packing.
He’s also joined on the main council by fellow appointee Graeme Jack, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the agri-food sector, including as Communications Director for Müller UK & Ireland.
22 Mar
Thursday 19 March saw MPs debate the current state of the UK’s food supply chain. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke raised the issue of “unfair supermarket buying practices” saying that “we need tougher regulations to address the imbalance of power”.
She also highlighted an issue that BMPA has been pressing for some time. She said: “We also need proper scrutiny of our trade deals. Even the former Environment Secretary, the right hon. Member for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), did not have a positive opinion of them, stating that the UK’s free trade deal with Australia was ‘not actually a very good deal for the UK’ “.
The debate continued, encompassing a wider discussion on how important government policy and legislation is to maintain a healthy food industry. BMPA’s belief is that it must be driven by an over-arching food strategy that accounts for all aspects of the food supply chain from farming subsidies and the environmental agenda through to labour, immigration, retailer dominance and consumer preferences. Until now, meddling with one part without proper consideration for the knock-on effects has not worked. Hopefully the annual Food Security Index (still being worked on) will reflect this.
21 Mar
In his latest article, BMPA’s Trade Policy Advisor, Peter Hardwick, explains some of the damaging and even ridiculous consequences the Government’s new ‘Not for EU’ labelling mandate will impose on an already over-burdened system for trading within and beyond UK borders.
In an attempt “to ensure no incentive arises for businesses to avoid placing goods on the Northern Ireland market” we’ve ended up penalising all businesses (both here in the UK and our overseas suppliers of retail packaged goods) regardless of whether they sell into Northern Ireland by mandating that they include “Not for EU” on the label. Read Peter’s article to see just how much of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut this is, and the unintended consequences it could precipitate. Hint: the UK consumer will end up confused, paying more and getting less choice.
21 Mar
Local Portsmouth Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson has delivered an excoriating assessment of government U-turns that will render their new, taxpayer-funded £7m port facility a virtual ‘white elephant’. This is because inspection requirements of the Border Target Operating Model, due to start 30 April, have changed so much since they first formed the brief for the facility’s construction.
Mr Vernon-Jackson fears that continuing uncertainty as to whether or not high risk products like meat and dairy can come into the port, plus the delay in confirming how port charges will be apportioned, will discourage companies from doing business with the port and force them to seek solutions elsewhere.
14 Mar
The government response to AHDB’s pig industry review (published in April 2021) has been released this week. The review looked at how changes to the industry in the past decade could affect current legislation to meet future challenges relating to pig health and disease control.
This new document includes the government response, line by line, to each recommendation in the independent review on the structure of the pig industry in Great Britain. It covers issues such as data sharing and traceability systems across the devolved nations, and meeting requirements for the China market. Crucially, it says that Defra will support discussions with the major production companies (integrators) to inform development of the new system. BMPA will be reviewing the responses in detail and working closely with members, government and stakeholders to push for a solution that benefits consumers and works for the industry.
14 Mar
Defra is calling for responses to a consultation into food labelling, which aims to improve transparency and consumer choice. Among other things, It says one of the aims is to allow people to choose between products that meet or ‘fall below’ UK animal welfare standards.
The consultation runs until 7 May ‘2024.
14 Mar
With the new one-size-fits-all £38,700 immigration rule about to be implemented, we wrote to James Clevery to explain the impact it will have on the meat industry, particularly in light of Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey’s assertion that the UK is “at or near full employment”. But the Home Secretary’s response makes it clear that he either doesn’t appreciate or won’t acknowledge the scale of the problem.
So, BMPA has now written to Minister of State Tom Pursglove calling for him to arrange an urgent meeting with the CEOs of Britain’s largest meat companies so they can lay out the damaging consequences of this policy including food inflation, withdrawal of investment, weakened domestic food security and lower economic growth.
14 Mar
British farmers and manufacturers are discovering the hidden shortcomings of the new free trade agreements that our government has been negotiating over the past few years. Farmers Weekly journalist Michael Priestly has been delving further into the barriers to trade that were inadvertently written into the Australian deal and quotes AHDB’s Phil Hadley on how the approval process to rectify it (by requesting access for British beef into the Aussie market) could take between 3 and 5 years.
In his letter to Kemi Badenoch (PDF), Nick Allen, CEO of BMPA, proposed a solution which we would strongly urge the Government to also consider during future trade negotiations. He says that government should request “that Australia reciprocate and allow the import of UK beef and lamb without preconditions. If needed this can be done on the basis of pre-listing, allowing trade to commence with audits taking place later and regularly thereafter in the normal manner”.
8 Mar
The EFRA Committee will hear evidence on Tuesday 12 March on the continued shortage of Official Veterinarians available to work in the meat supply chain, which threatens to seize-up the UK’s meat export trade. With the extra pressure of new import checks, this will only get worse.
This begs the question: is it now time to review the roles of vets in the food supply chain? Should we consider a similar system to ones in operation in several European countries like Spain? This is where Meat Inspectors receive special training, which is a subset of full veterinary training, so they can deliver the appropriate level of expertise in the meat supply setting. It’s akin to the division of labour between Dental Surgeons and Dental Nurses. If this kind of role were to be created, it would substantially reduce the pressure on the small number Official Veterinarians and reduce the reliance on immigration to fill the workforce gaps.
8 Mar
The British Meat Processors Association has written to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths, to raise deep concerns about proposals in the Consultation on the Sustainable Farm Scheme. We believe it will damage the economy, reduce tourism, impact biodiversity and discourage future investment in Wales.
By the Welsh Government’s own calculation, the new scheme will see 5500 jobs lost in agriculture, and see livestock production reduced by 122,000 livestock units, which is equivalent to 90% of the beef processing in Wales. You can read our press release and the full letter.
8 Mar
It has recently emerged that, under the UK/Australia free trade agreement (FTA) which was hurriedly rushed through by Liz Truss, we are prepared to import Australian meat and meat products without restriction, but are unable to export British beef to that market despite there being an FTA.
This lop-sided agreement that precludes UK producers from exporting beef products to Australia only came to light when one enterprising company tried to do it. They currently have a ready made Aussie market with a healthy demand for their beef jerky but, because there’s no reciprocal agreement for beef, they can’t supply it, and will probably see their customers turn to other countries like South Africa to source the product.
There’s a bigger picture to consider here. We need to impress upon the Government that such an oversight can’t happen again when negotiating future free trade agreements, and we’ve written to Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch to highlight the issue. If government is going to encourage businesses to reap the Brexit benefits of finding new trading partners further afield, they mustn’t then hobble their chances with badly thought-through trade deals.
Read our letter (PDF)
7 Mar
In response to calls from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to “take low-cost, low-regret actions to encourage a 20% shift away from all meat by 2030, rising to 35% by 2050”, The Scottish Government has commissioned research to model the potential impacts, both good and bad.
The findings paint a surprising picture.
7 Mar
Logistics UK has issued warnings about potential traffic delays and disruptions as the new EU entry/exit system (to collect travellers’ biometric data) is implemented in October ’24.
Speaking before the Government’s European scrutiny committee, Nichola Mallon, head of trade and devolved policy at Logistics UK, said these delays could have dire consequences for the shelf life of fresh produce and could lead to a significant reduction in EU imports of perishable products, and jeopardise UK exports.
The implications extend beyond logistical challenges, with concerns raised about the impact on driver recruitment and retention. And it can only make it less attractive for European hauliers to take on deliveries to the UK in the face of such long queues at the border.
27 Feb
In a new report, MPs on the Business and Trade Committee have called for the Government to allow lawmakers a debate and a vote on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade bloc.
The Committee says MPs must have their say due to controversial aspects of joining the trade bloc – and the lack of clarity over the benefits of doing so. They say that more scrutiny is needed over imports of controversial agri-food products including beef and pork treated with growth promoters that is currently banned in the UK (although separate trade negotiations with Canada covering just this seem to have broken down, despite the interim agreement to trade on EU terms being due to run out at the end of March).
Even more contentious is the possibility of signing up to CPTPP provisions to allow foreign investors to sue the UK Government over actions and policies that damage their profits. We await a government response.
26 Feb
Since the new Border Target Operation Model was introduced, Defra have been compiling a list of common errors and problems that users of the system have been encountering. These range from import notification errors like an EU address being provided for the operator responsible for a consignment instead of a UK address, to no regionalisation code being provided on an export health certificate.
This list isn’t exhaustive and will no doubt expand over time as operators report problems they’re encountering, but it may include information and links that members find useful.
26 Feb
Nick Allen, Chief Executive of the British Meat Processors Association has written to the Home Secretary James Cleverly to outline the damage to the UK meat and wider food industry that the new one-size-fits-all £38,700 immigration rule will inflict.
Forcing companies to take on overseas butchers at £38,700 represents a 49% increase to current salary levels which sit around £26,200 for a worker in the UK, and would instantly spark a raft of Equal Pay Claims under the Equality Act 2010. Concerns over worker shortages in the food industry have been voiced by numerous players including Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon. Read our latest press release to find out why this is so problematic and the remedy BMPA is suggesting.
22 Feb
In an interview with Farming Today this week, Red Tractor Chair Christine Tacon responded to the publication of Campbell Tickell’s report into the assurance body’s governance. While the report found that governance was sound, if somewhat complex, it highlighted the need for better communication and engagement with its boards, committees, stakeholders and members. This, Ms Tacon said, is what she will be focusing on while a second review is underway (but which could take up to two years to complete).
That second review will be tackling issues surrounding the ownership structure of Assured Food Standards and how to balance interests represented on the board. The time is certainly right to address these issues and take a fresh look at the structure of assurance and the role it plays in the industry, as Nick Allen recently discussed with The Grocer’s Kevin White for his excellent focus report on Red Tractor.
22 Feb
Jack Simpson’s Guardian article this week has been doing the rounds as it exposes the true cost and impact of post-Brexit export requirements for the food industry. New data from the SPS Certification Working Group, of which BMPA is a member, shows a slump in meat exports alone of 17% since 2019 and £170m in added cost for exporters just on certification.
This was quickly picked up by other media outlets and Peter Hardwick was interviewed by Marialla Frostrup on Times Radio to explain the implications for the meat industry and also what it would take to fix it.
Listen to Peter’s interview (from 1:40:21)
22 Feb
Following the latest Reputation of Meat meeting which took place on 14 February, the full recording and slide deck are now available to view in the Members’ Portal for those not able to attend.
Sarah Miller of QMS gave an update on the outcomes of COP28 followed by AHDB’s environmental update. Presenters also went through the Eco Working Group’s latest policy recommendations to Defra including scope 3 reporting guidance for our sector, the collection and quality of primary and secondary data and how to ensure eco-labels accurately communicate environmental impact and are adaptable as science develops.
The importance of this last point is borne out by what’s just happened in Australia, where Anthony Albanese’s government has changed the Australian Dietary Guidelines to incorporate the impact of certain foods on climate change.
15 Feb
AHDB are calling for responses to a survey that will inform how they develop and deliver a new knowledge hub for exporters. Depending on your responses it will include the latest on import requirements to ensure continued access to markets, pending changes that will require action by your business, such as: business name change and China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER). It could also offer training tools such as webinars, animations and videos as well as updates and changes to Export Health Certificates, including for newly accessed markets. Survey closes midnight 20 March ’24.
15 Feb
This week the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) opened a nationwide consultation for the revised Level 2 Butcher assessment plan. There’s a short window to complete it by 25 Feb 2024, but it’s a good opportunity for the wider meat industry to have their say on both the content and the trail blazer group’s proposed method of assessments. In particular, we think companies can address changing the written knowledge test to a multiple choice format.
