Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Government IT system 'not ready' for post-Brexit checks

Government IT system 'not ready' for post-Brexit checks
(Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images

Food supplies may face further disruption from Jan 1 due to the "medieval" government IT system that is still not yet ready to process post-Brexit paperwork, claimed a recent media report which also cited business groups’ warning predicting lesser choice and higher prices for British shoppers, as well as more gaps on retailers' shelves.

From Jan 1, importers must comply with a host of new requirements including full customs declarations, rules of origin forms and notifications for food imports. Shipments of plant and animal products will require online forms detailing every type of item as well as its source and destination.


According to a recent report by The Independent, some companies that are importing food from the EU are finding it cumbersome to submit vital details of their cargo because government software is “plagued by technical bugs”.

Problems are primarily affecting shipments of fruit, vegetables and plants, with importers also experiencing difficulty logging details of animal products, claimed the report.

Although the government has acknowledged the issue, it is yet to establish a workaround, implying ambiguity for importers who are not sure when they will be able to submit the required forms for food imports.

“We are investigating these cases and working with impacted users to provide a short-term work around, and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” the report quoted a spokesperson for the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

UK is particularly dependent on EU imports of fresh fruit and vegetables, with around 90 per cent of lettuces and 85 per cent of tomatoes shipped in from across the Channel.

Apart from the reported tech bug, food importers are also frustrated that, from Jan 1, they will be forced to “manually input data for each shipment” because software to automatically upload information won't be ready for months.

"It is like we have gone back to medieval times and we are copying books by hand instead of using a printing press," said Michael Szydlo, founder of Quick Declare, a company that helps dozens of businesses import and export goods.

Software to allow automatic uploads was supposed to be ready by Jan 1, but reportedly has been delayed, with no firm date set for its release.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less