UK Exporters Face French Border Chaos
French Border Control Strikes Cause Delays for UK Animal and Food Exports
Since May 13, UK exporters face French border chaos, as contract veterinarians strike at French Border Control Posts (BCPs), slowing veterinary checks for live animals and food products arriving from Great Britain. The work stoppage continues indefinitely, affecting all crossings—including Calais, the busiest point for trade.
From May 17–18, the strike halted live animal inspections at Calais completely, while food product inspections slowed significantly. Exports experienced longer queues and disrupted schedules. An emergency process was implemented for returning EU horses, allowing light-touch checks at Calais on May 19–20—but stricter procedures resumed from May 21, requiring early-morning boarding authorisations and appointment confirmations. Exporters must now secure both before sending live animals to avoid border delays.
Alternative Routes Advised:
To avoid bottlenecks, exporters are exploring alternative routes, like Caen–Ouistreham or crossings via Belgium and the Netherlands, helping maintain supply to European customers despite ongoing delays.
Businesses shipping meat, poultry, fish, or live livestock must stay updated daily and plan logistics accordingly. Using Meatex’s Pork, Poultry, and Fish/Seafood categories can help you find flexible sourcing amid disruption. Bookmark this page for real-time updates on the situation.
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