Optimism losses will be stemmed
Food manufacturers are growing increasingly optimistic that the EU and UK bans on exports will not have as devastating an impact on their businesses as first feared.
Derogations contained in the regulations allow processors who heat treat their goods, or reduce their PH, to continue exporting as long as they get the necessary veterinary health certificates.
In other words, manufacturers of lasagne ready meals can continue shipping overseas, while those making raw sausages or beefburgers cannot. But while manufacturers get to grips with the complex regulations, they remain a mystery to many officials both here and abroad. And there are cases where shipments have been wrongly turned away from overseas ports.
A Heinz spokesman said its manufacturing and sterilisation processes met the derogations and so it could export products, including Farley's Infant Milks. But he added: "We understand that MAFF is maintaining very tight controls over the issue of export licences. We are working closely with our trade associations and with MAFF to alleviate this situation where products are compliant with the legislation."
The Food and Drink Federation is working with MAFF to provide clearer guidelines on regulations including a list of the sort of things that can and cannot be exported in the hope this will be used by both manufacturers and regulatory authorities.
If the export bans had been applied to all food products, the FDF reckons they would have cost the industry £30m a week in lost business, but now the details are becoming clearer, the federation believes the figure will be lower.
Food From Britain is advising exporters to avoid mixing products that do not need certification with those that do in their consignments, in the hope this will speed them through the shipping chain.
But all of this is of little comfort to those producing primary meat products. Some staff at Malton Foods' pig processing plants are being sent home, and it is looking for an alternative market in the UK, following the collapse of its £40m pigmeat export business.
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