Retail bosses have welcomed a government decision to exempt them from new rules on storing organic produce.
The new regulations, coming into effect today, July 1, mean that operators who store organic produce need to be registered and audited to ensure their produce is not contaminated with non-organic produce.
Following discussions with Defra, the British Retail Consortium has ensured exemption for its members who operate their storage premises directly, or operate dedicated depots under contract.
Andrew Opie, BRC director of food policy, said: “Defra’s pragmatic approach to applying these regulations is to be applauded. Too often retailers are the victims of unnecessary regulation and red tape when enforcement is simply not warranted.
“This is a perfect example of how industry and government can sit together and discuss practicalities and implications for all involved. This avoids excessive regulation, whilst still protecting the consumer.”
