UK industry association the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) is demanding 'full and immediate compensation' for UK businesses affected by the impact of Europe's recent E.coli outbreak, which has now been confirmed as linked to the consumption of raw sprouted seeds produced locally in Germany.
According to Nigel Jenney, the group's chief executive, the UK fresh produce industry suffered significant losses and a drop in consumption of salad products due to 'unfounded andpremature claims' made by the German authorities in attributing a link to fresh produce.
'Exhaustive tests have proved that there is no link between this strainof E.coli and fresh produce,' argued Jenney. 'We are demanding that both the German authorities and the European Commission provide full and immediate compensation to UK businesses, which are suffering from their incompetence in handling this serious outbreak.'
He also called on Defra, the UK ministry of agriculture, to do more to fight the cause for the UK industry and rebuild consumer confidence.
'The European Commission is talking about implementing a promotional campaign to support the fresh produce industry and restore public confidence. Now the Commission expects the industry to pay up tohalf the costs of a campaign which won't get off the ground until autumn.
'Expecting the industry to cover the cost of the German authorities' incompetence just adds salt to the wound. This campaign will be far too little, and too late,' he added.
Food poisoning outbreaks linked with the contamination offresh produce remain extremely rare in the UK, Jenney pointed out.
Good agricultural practice, hygiene preparations and packaging minimise the potential for contamination, he said.
'The fresh produce industry has stringent standards in place to ensure that consumers can enjoy safe, healthy, good qualityfresh produce.'
