The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has launched legal action in France over new border inspection rules that it says could disrupt UK meat exports to the EU.
The new requirements, which came into force on 1 August, mean operators may be required to assist Official Veterinarians by moving carcasses inside trailers during border inspections. Consignments that fail to meet the requirements could be refused entry into France.
AIMS has instructed French administrative lawyer Maître Miguel Nicolas to challenge the proportionality of the new measures and seek clarification from the French authorities. Formal legal representations have now been submitted to both the French Directorate General for Food (DGAL) and SIVEP, and are under consideration.
Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of AIMS, said the changes had the potential to create significant disruption for British meat exports if they were implemented inconsistently or without clear guidance.
“Rather than simply expressing concern, AIMS has taken proactive legal action in France to ensure the industry’s voice is heard directly by the competent authorities,” he said.
“Our priority is to protect the ability of UK exporters to trade efficiently while ensuring that any inspection requirements remain practical, proportionate and legally justified. We will continue to pursue every appropriate avenue on behalf of our members.”
AIMS said the legal advice it had received suggested there were legitimate questions over whether the new inspection arrangements were proportionate and whether they imposed unreasonable operational burdens on exporters and hauliers, even though there was no immediate legal mechanism to prevent the measures from taking effect.
The organisation said its legal strategy includes seeking clarification from the French authorities, establishing a formal legal record, preparing the basis for a complaint to the European Commission if necessary, and being ready to challenge any consignments that are refused entry without justification.
AIMS said it would continue working with its French legal advisers, the UK Government and industry stakeholders to minimise disruption to trade, including ahead of further EU changes to treated pallet rules due to come into force on 1 September.