The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has called for the Government to end the requirement for veterinary certification for imports and exports of products of animal origin (POAO) to and from the EU with immediate effect.
AIMS has today written to Cabinet Office Minister & Paymaster General Nick Thomas‑Symonds, welcoming the Government’s intention to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU.
“One of the most immediate and deliverable ways to realise this vision is by addressing the burden of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) certification, as this is little more than a legacy from the pre-digital age that result in an outdated system which in turn imposes significant cost and friction, with negligible public health value,” said Dr Jason Aldiss, AIMS’ executive director.
He told the minister the UK has the sovereign ability to remove requirements for veterinary certificates unilaterally for EU imports and should ‘urgently pursue mutual recognition for exports through bilateral negotiations’. AIMS is confident the EU would welcome reciprocal simplification.
“We have written to the Minister on behalf of our many exporting members laying out the very real benefits that demonstrate how meaningful trade liberalisation can be achieved without compromising food safety or animal health,” Dr Aldiss said.
“This would help to streamline supply chains, particularly for perishable and composite goods whilst releasing significant veterinary capacity back into priority sectors and also empower SMEs to access new markets without facing prohibitive bureaucratic hurdles, thereby contributing to the UK’s economic growth agenda.”
He said the UK, as one Brussels stakeholder described it, is ‘pushing against an open door’. “AIMS stands ready to support the delivery of this policy. We are already piloting blockchain-based digital certification systems, such as Vetasure, that can support real-time risk-based assurance and audit. The tools exist. The industry is ready and the moment to act is now,” Dr Aldiss added.