‘No-deal’ Brexit could mean huge cost to scrap current pre-printed packaging

In the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, UK meat exporters will not be entitled to use any abbreviation in the health and identification marks that implies membership of the EU. Even if you don’t export, you will only be able to use the old marks for a limited period of time after we leave the EU, although more clarity on exactly what that means is urgently needed to allow firms to plan packaging re-designs and production runs.

This will mean that some companies will be facing a considerable cost to replace current packaging with stock that bears the new mark. In some cases, manufacturers have several months supply of pre-printed packaging (potentially worth up to £1 million for some companies), which will have to be scrapped. The cost of re-packaging could also weigh heavily on some manufacturers.

FSA is working to ensure that companies will be equipped with new health marks for use after 29 March 2019. Following a short consultation period, we understand that the agency will communicate what changes will need to be made to the marks some time in November 2018.