The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has warned that Brexit will reduce exports from the U.K. to the E.U. over the long term. Additional inspections and documentation is required for British exports arising from the December 31st 2020 departure of the U.K. from the E.U. Single Market and Customs Union. For the first six weeks of 2021, meat exports fell by 50 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2020.
The BMPA rejects the prevailing government sentiment that the drop in exports is due to short-term problems relating to new inspection and documentation procedures.
In accordance with the Brexit agreement, trade with the EU is tariff-free but the change in status of the UK has introduced delays and increased administrative costs, possibly amounting to $150 million for the meat industry in 2021 and continuing thereafter.