Sophie Jewett

UK Self Imposed Border Chaos A summary of what actually happened to members this week at the UK Government’s so called world leading border solution. Oh yes the IT system has just failed on Sunday evening. So manual clearances invoked by Government so more chaos and delay at the border tonight. The UK Government must immediately pay compensation to traders and prevent this ongoing chaos. An immediate solution is to ensure APHA officials are available to inspect goods at industry fully approved locations after 7 pm each day( control points). However Government has refused. Through no fault of their own, the cost to industry and their customers is already enormous It’s time for a new approach that meets the needs of industry. We pay the bill so we should be given the choice now. https://lnkd.in/eJgq4aaF

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In a brewing industry where hops are driving most of the conversation in terms of newer, more compelling flavours in beer, in my new feature for Craft Beer & Brewing I investigated the growing trend of breweries turning to heritage malt varieties so as to explore new dimensions of flavour in their own beers. I spoke to several brewers, including Toby Mackenzie at RedWillow, Danny Tapper at Beak and Gareth Young at Epochal, plus Alison Milne at Crafty Maltsters and Dr. David Griggs at Crisp Malt to find out how breweries are using these heritage malting barley varieties, what kind of results they're getting from them, and who's interested in drinking them. You can read the answers to those questions here: https://lnkd.in/ge6PsiSk

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Anyone else sick to death of seeing posts claiming “whisky is CGT free”? Let’s clear this up once and for all: whisky is NOT Capital Gains Tax exempt. The City of London Police issued a statement earlier this year confirming this. Yet, almost every single so-called ‘whisky cask investment company’ seems determined to repeat this misleading claim until they’re blue in the face. Tax is complex. Whether CGT applies depends on individual circumstances, and the blanket statement that ALL whisky is CGT-free is simply false. HMRC’s definition of “wasting assets” (tangible, movable property with a lifespan under 50 years) is nuanced and far from straightforward when it comes to whisky. There’s a big difference between the predictable life of a cask versus a bottle. Sure, a cask might be argued to qualify as a wasting asset due to evaporation (the “angel’s share”) and other factors, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. There are enormous variables at play—such as cask size and original filling strength—and we’ve now seen several examples of whiskies bottled well beyond the 50-year mark, which would push them outside the wasting assets definition altogether. At best, these blanket claims by so-called ‘whisky cask investment companies’ about CGT exemption show a lack of understanding; at worst, they’re downright disingenuous. If you’re a so-called ‘whisky cask investment company’ and you’re reading this (and I know you are, because I see you lurking in my profile views!), then stop making these misleading claims. If, like me, you’re sick to death of seeing these false statements, please help report them to the Advertising Standards Authority. It’s time to hold these companies accountable. You can submit complaint to ASA here: https://lnkd.in/eatJM2Tw Rant over (for now). * This is not tax advice. Do your own research and consult a tax professional.

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An excellent and important initiative.

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UK set to consider extending it's sugar tax to include milk- based drinks. Milk based drinks were typically exempt from the levy tax, these included beverages such as milkshakes and pre-made milk based coffee drinks. https://lnkd.in/eivAtKWS #foodlaw #foodregulatory #ukfoodlaw #foodscience #sugartax #sugarsweetenedbeverages #regulatoryaffairs #sugar #milkbeverages #milkdrinks

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BRITISH EGG INDUSTRY: BEIC launches manifesto for stronger, sustainable British egg industry. Leading retail publication The Grocer has reported on The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) general election manifesto, calling for Government to support a sustainable future for the British egg industry. See the manifesto here: https://lnkd.in/e4-6rjXt . It is a fantastic insight into the industry and is well worth a read. Despite operating without government subsidies, the British Lion Code of Practice remains the UK's top food safety scheme, covering 95% of British egg production. The BEIC’s key manifesto asks are organised in six key themes: international trade, environment, workforce, biosecurity, planning and public procurement. The British Lion Code of Practice is the UK’s most successful food safety scheme. It accounts for 95% of British egg production. I’m very proud to be the independent scientific and regulatory advisor to the BEIC. I personally believe that the British Lion Code of Practice is one of the worlds leading food safety schemes. I only feed my family eggs with the British lion on it. “The British egg industry is one of British farming’s great success stories, providing consumers with a natural, healthy, ‘super food’ at an affordable price, which is always of vital importance, but particularly during a cost of living crisis,” said BEIC CEO Gary Ford. Phil Slaney Kevin Coles Dr Lisa Ackerley, CEnvH, FRSPH #eggs #PublicHealth #Health #FoodIndustry #Retail #Hospitality #FoodService #Restaurants #Foodscience #Sustainability #FoodTechnology #Nutrition

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Most don't know about the big gaping hole in the world of sugar reduction 🍬 but it's plain as day when looking at supermarket aisles 👀. That's sugar reduction in food versus beverages. 🥤 Sugar-free mainstream beverages have been a commercial reality for decades. And they're really pervasive right now. 🍩 But still today the same thing is not true of mainstream food. To date, sugar regulations and taxes have almost exclusively focused on beverages. But not because that's where the damage is. Most sugar in people's diets is in food - can be 4x more! Rather, it's because there has been no mainstream solutions to the problem. Well, the avalanche 🏔 is finally here - and falling on both sides of the Atlantic. FDA recently announced a drive to enforce mandatory warnings for high sugar on all food products USDA recently announced a decision to limit added sugars in all school meals. Now, World Health Organization wants the next UK government to expand coverage of the sugar tax to cakes, biscuits and chocolate. This is going to be a tumultuous time for the food industry. Fortunately, The Supplant Company is here with the only solution that will ever fix the problem. https://lnkd.in/eAJYGZWA

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Dan Sparshatt of Golden Acre Foods | B Corp talks to Food Manufacture about the evolution of the UK's World Foods category in this exclusive interview #worldfoods #foodtrends #ukfoodtrends

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New blog!✏️ Our latest post makes the case for broad restrictions on retail promotions of unhealthy food & drink products in Scotland. We highlight evidence that supports a blanket approach as well as how proposed regulations can make a fuller impact ✅ 🔗 tinyurl.com/y3khxs7y

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Food Standards Agency recall; further fallout from the peanut contaminated mustard! Hain Daniel's recalls Yorkshire Provender Jacket & Toast Toppers, Haricot Beans and Lentil Chilli varieties Use By: 16.20.24, as products may be contaminated with peanut which is not identified on the label. Products could be dangerous if consumed by those with peanut allergy or intolerance. I really feel for some of these smaller companies who, through no fault of their own, are having to run potentially damaging & expensive recalls because they use a mustard powder that has potentially been in contact with peanut. However this does go to prove that the product notification & recall system does work! https://lnkd.in/emMi-5sA #haccp #foodsafety #foodallergyalert #peanutallergy #foodsafetymanagement

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 WHICH IS WHICH? Your Weekly Guessing Game Question 14. Britain or Brittany? 🗝️to question 13: LEFT: South Wales in the UK, with most of the nearly 30 Welsh vineyards, produces top-quality vintages. It is a booming industry with over 20 grape varieties in a unique landscape and microclimate where sheep’s white wool helps to ripen the grapes.   RIGHT: New South Wales is a state in the southeast of Australia, with Sydney, the Blue Mountains, rainforests, and long beaches with dramatic cliffs. It also has 24 wine regions and 501 wineries producing a range of extremely diverse wines. Kangaroos often hop between the vines.   ❓ Wow! Look at the two dramatic coastlines. One of them is a well-known landmark facing “the continent”, and the other one, lying more or less opposite, is a stretch of romantic seaside. Which is which? Where exactly were the photos taken?  

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Today we've published 'Our Food 2023: An annual review of food standards across the UK.' It is the third in a series of annual reports with Food Standards Scotland since the UK left the EU. Our Food 2023 is an evidence-based assessment of food standards across all four nations. Our analysis suggests that food standards in the UK remained stable during 2023. Yet there are questions about the resilience of our food system for the future. So, we are highlighting three areas that government, businesses and regulators need to work together to address. 1️⃣ More needs to be done to ensure that consumers can access safe, nutritious food against a backdrop of rising prices 2️⃣ After a long-term decline in numbers, pressure on the local authority workforce continues, with a significant backlog in the number of food businesses awaiting inspection 3️⃣ Without a reliable and secure resourcing model for Official Veterinarians, there is increased risk of disruption to the UK meat chain in the years ahead due to staff shortages, as well as increasing costs that will be passed on to businesses and consumers We’re asking government, industry and regulators to work together on these and the other challenges highlighted in our report. The cooperation of everyone in the food system, from government departments and food businesses, to our colleagues in local authorities, remains essential for ensuring people have access to safe, healthy and sustainable food. Download the full report now: https://lnkd.in/eEzEWDik #FoodStandards - Heddiw, rydym wedi cyhoeddi ‘Ein Bwyd 2023: Adolygiad blynyddol o safonau bwyd ledled y DU’. Dyma’r trydydd mewn cyfres o adroddiadau blynyddol ar y cyd â Safonau Bwyd yr Alban ers i’r DU adael yr UE. Mae Ein Bwyd 2023 yn defnyddio tystiolaeth i asesu safonau bwyd ar draws pob un o’r pedair gwlad. Mae ein gwaith dadansoddi’n awgrymu bod safonau bwyd yn y DU wedi aros yn sefydlog yn ystod 2023. Er hynny, mae cwestiynau’n codi o ran gwydnwch ein system fwyd at y dyfodol. Felly, dyma dynnu sylw at dri maes y mae angen i’r llywodraeth, busnesau a rheoleiddwyr gydweithio arnynt i fynd i’r afael â’r cwestiynau hyn. 1️⃣ Mae angen gwneud mwy i sicrhau bod defnyddwyr yn gallu cael gafael ar fwyd diogel a maethlon, er gwaethaf y cynnydd mewn costau 2️⃣ Ar ôl gostyngiad hirdymor mewn niferoedd, mae’r pwysau ar swyddogion iechyd yr amgylchedd a safonau masnach mewn awdurdodau lleol yn parhau’n drwm, gydag ôl-groniad sylweddol yn nifer y busnesau bwyd sy’n aros am arolygiad 3️⃣ Heb fodel dibynadwy a diogel ar gyfer cyflogi milfeddygon swyddogol, mae mwy o risg o amharu ar gadwyn gig y DU yn y blynyddoedd i ddod oherwydd prinder staff, yn ogystal â chostau cynyddol a fydd yn cael eu trosglwyddo i fusnesau a defnyddwyr Rydym yn gofyn i’r llywodraeth, y diwydiant a rheoleiddwyr gydweithio ar yr heriau hyn a’r heriau eraill a amlygwyd yn ein hadroddiad. Lawrlwythwch yr adroddiad llawn ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e2cXZnxj

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🚨 This week Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has announced that a £3 million fund will support the creation of new and mobile abattoirs in England. The funding is amongst a package of measures introduced to support UK farmers, announced at the #FarmToFork Summit, and is also in addition to the existing £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund previously announced in December 2023. 🗣️ Commenting on the new fund, the Sustainable Food Trust's Head of Policy and Campaigns, Megan Perry, said, “We are delighted the Government are taking such significant steps to support this vitally important sector. New abattoirs are desperately needed to replace those that have been lost in recent years. The release of these funds, and work carried out between Defra and industry behind the scenes, indicates a clear recognition from Government that smaller abattoirs are key to a sustainable and resilient local meat supply chain.” As founding members of the #AbattoirSectorGroup, and with much of our work dedicated to supporting sustainable, local and high-welfare meat production, the SFT is pleased to see these abattoirs receiving the financial support and recognition that they deserve. We look forward to working with Defra to continue to support the UK’s small abattoir sector. 👉 Find out what other measures have been announced by the Government, here: https://lnkd.in/eqfBSe_5 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eJuJxpGE National Craft Butchers #SupportSmallAbattoirs #SupportLocal #FarmingInvestmentFund #MobileAbattoir

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Very pleased to say that the final round of the £7.5m Innovate UK Agri-Tech and Food Tech Launchpad secured for Eastern England (Greater Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire) is now open. A share of £2.5m is available between 2 strands (links in comments): ▪ MFA (Minimal Financial Assistance): £25,000 - £100,000 fully funded grants supporting SME innovation projects ▪ CR&D (Collaborative Research & Development): £150,000 - £300,000 grants to SMEs to develop a consortium bid which can include universities, research institutes, charities and the public sector. Projects can focus on one or more of the following: ▪ enhancing the productivity of primary crops, the bio economy, livestock, aquaculture or ornamental plants  ▪ biotechnologies related to agriculture, food and nutrition  ▪ food that promotes safe, healthy and nutritious diets ▪ resource-efficient production methods for low-emission foods Effie Warwick-John Jess Foster Greater Lincolnshire LEP James Allen Louisa Simpson Presh Govender Julie West Julian Munson Suffolk County Council Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Norfolk County Council Mathew Thompson Trudy Roberts Francesca East North East Lincolnshire Council North Lincolnshire Council South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone

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Kent-based winery Chapel Down Group abandons sale plan 🍷🪙 Chapel Down, the Kent-based wine producer, has revealed it expects its 2024 harvest to be below its forecast and has abandoned plans for a sale of the company. In an update, the AIM-quoted company said it expects its full year net sales revenue to be a low, single digit decline from the previous year. Chapel Down said it was the largest brand in English wine with 42% awareness, 16% penetration and a social media following of more than 120,000. It has 1,024 planted acres of vineyards, which is around 10% of the UK's total. In late June this year, the company had said it was mulling a sale as part of a strategic review into funding options for its growth plans, which included new vineyards and a purpose built winery. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/epXP86BN #winery #alcohol #drinks #sales #finance #forecast #kentnews #kenthour #businessnews #businessintelligence

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Nicola Bates of Wine GB played an admirable straight bat when interviewed for the BBC R4 'On Your Farm' programme today. She also revealed - to those who haven't been paying attention - that projections for 2032 - just 8 years from now - are of a doubling of current acreage to as much as 9,000 ha. Over twice Adelaide Hills (3,700ha) nearly 3x Franciacorta (3,200ha) 7x Etna (1,300ha) Over 1x5 x Chablis (5,900) and St Emilion (5,500ha) Nearly half the size of Napa Valley (19,000ha) All.of these regions have built their acreage, reputation and distribution over many scores, if not hundreds, of years Time will tell how well UK will shortcut this process, at a time of flat/falling global + UK consumption, and predictions of the uprooting of >10-15% of vines across the world. Sales over the last four years suggest that a rocket may be needed if they are going to catch up with recent expansion, let alone match a further doubling 2020: 7.1m bottles 2021: 9.3m bottles 2022: 8.0m bottles 2023: 8.8m bottles In September, Wine GB's submission to the government for increased grants and export financing, acknowledged that "no alcoholic beverage category and no new wine region has established itself internationally in the last 50 years without such assistance." The UK Chancellor will reveal her budget in 2 weeks. The UK wine trade is biting its nails over whether she will keep the previous administration's impracticable new excise duty scheme (based on ABV) and/or raise duty on wine still further. Given the unhealthy state of the UK economy + expectation of increased taxes, there is little likelihood of a handout to the UK wine industry that would be sufficiently generous to have the required impact Footnote 1) Vineyard acreage ≠ volume production of course. UK yields vary widely (2023 was enormous; 2024 will be small) but they are less generous than in these other regions. This has its own economic implications 2) The most recent increase in UK excise duty on alcohol led to a fall (of £1.3bn) in revenue to the govt. So, pragmatically, any further rise would seem to be counter-productive. A decision *not* to raise duty levels would also certainly require a rethinking/abandonment of the planned new scheme

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