Brexit preparations at present risks the UK’s meat export system and thousands of jobs, according to stark warnings from the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).
According to the organisation, £1.2 billion of annual meat exports will be at risk along with thousands of jobs in the meat and livestock sector if several key issues aren’t “urgently addressed”.
“After months of meetings and talks with Government which have yielded little progress, the British meat industry, along with other sectors that rely on overseas trade, has lost patience and we are calling publicly for Government to step up the pace and solve these issues before it is too late,” said BMPA Chief Executive, Nick Allen.
“With less than four months to go Britain has a woeful lack of infrastructure and people to operate the new export system which if not addressed, will result in massive delays, extra cost and lost orders.”
The organisation has therefore launched a campaign exposing the “glaring weaknesses” in Brexit preparations.
“Our message to the Government is that This is NOT Good Enough,” said a statement from the BMPA.
“They have had four years to prepare and have known all along that these technical issues will need to be addressed regardless of whether or not we get a deal.
“We’re now less than four months from the end of the transition period and we can’t stay silent on the lack of progress any longer.”