Egg scandal highlights Brexit dilemma

The incident has highlighted the degree to which trade is linked between EU member states

The Dutch egg contamination scandal has highlighted a potential problem after Brexit.

The UK, along with other EU member states, was notified of the possibility of eggs imported from the Netherlands being contaminated with an insecticide not approved for use in the food industry.

This was communicated via the EU Alert system, which distributes information about potential risks to national authorities – in the case of the UK, the Food Standards Agency.

This is supported by the EU and the EU-funded European Food Safety Authority.

While it is unlikely information would be deliberately withheld, the UK may have to contribute to European food safety costs to ensure it happens after Brexit.

The contamination incident has highlighted the degree to which trade is linked between EU member states and has led to the arrest of two people in the Netherlands.

Any possible risk, although small, is limited in the UK to egg products rather than shell eggs. The European Commission has said it will soon make a trade offer to the Mercosur countries of South America on so-called sensitive products.

Top of the list is beef, followed by ethanol for the biofuel industry.

The negotiations to create a free trade deal between the EU and Mercosur, which includes Brazil and Argentina, have been going on for some time.

The commission has now said it wants to see an outline deal agreed by the end of the year. It will table an offer on the sensitive products in October.

This has long been recognised as a potential threat to the European beef industry, because it would increase imports of cheap South American beef.

There have been suggestions that the commission might create some sort of fund to compensate beef producers for lower prices.

However, that could be challenged under World Trade Organisation rules. Last year the commission offered an import tariff of 78,000 tonnes of beef, but withdrew it after protests from a number of EU member states, led by Ireland.

The UK is keen to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with Mercosur and may see its chance in imposing less rigorous controls to protect the beef industry than is the case for the EU. The European Commission has told the World Trade Organisation it will formally ban all neonicotinoid pesticides for outside use. It says a present temporary ban will be made permanent and will apply to all products using neonicotinoids.

The only exception will be for greenhouses where the pesticide can be contained.

The temporary ban was introduced to protect bees but the industry has long disputed the science behind it.

Attempts to overturn the ban in the European parliament failed, leaving no other avenues to block it.

This was criticised by farm lobby organisation, which claim lack of availability has reduced oilseed production by over 900,000 tonnes.

Meanwhile member states are continuing to give their views on a proposed 10-year extension of the glyphosate licence.

This is due to be decided in September but member states and the commission have until the end of the year to reach a decision.

Picture: AP. The egg contamination scandal has shown up that the UK may have to contribute to European food safety costs after Brexit.

richard WrighT eurofile