The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has praised the way that the UK government has handled the implementation of new European Union marketing standards for fruit and vegetables, compared with other European states.
On 1 July 2009, the EU introduced new marketing standards for 26 different types of fresh produce, although existing standards remained for the 10 leading products in terms of volume.
New standards were brought in to simplify legislation and cut red tape, according to the European Commission, which recently claimed that the move had saved the European fresh produce industry up to €970m – claims which have been challenged by some sections of the European community.
According to the FPC, red tape has indeed been reduced in the UK market following the introduction of the standards, while elsewhere in Europe countries are suffering from 'poorly thought out regulations' which have resulted in increased levels of bureaucracy.
The success is a result of the Rural Payments Agency (RPAI) ensuring that General Marketing Standard products would not have to be entered onto the 'Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates from the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate' (PEACH) system, FPC said, saving the UK fresh produce industry time and costs estimated at £250,000 (€278,000) each year.
'Many small to medium sized businesses in the UK would have faced a mass of additional bureaucracy as well as having to deal with the current economic climate,' FPC said in a statement. 'RPAI recognised the issue and thanks to their common sense the UK market remains attractive to growers/exporters from around the world, making the UK the key destination for imports.
'This is a great example of industry working effectively with a receptive government agency to deliver benefits for the sector,' the group added. 'We look forward to working with RPAI to develop the Approved Trader Scheme, which should provide additional benefits.'
No comments yet