The lost supper
Expats face haggis free Burns Night as exports banned by Brexit red tape
HAGGIS has become the latest product to fall foul of new Brexit rules – leaving the many Scots who live abroad fearing for the fate of their Burns Suppers.
Our national dish is classed as a ‘meat product’ and should be sold freely across Europe provided the supplies have a valid export health certificate.
But confusion in different parts of the EU has meant shipments have been delayed – or banned completely.
Last night, haggis makers said they have seen exports plummet as a result of Brexit, while supermarkets across Europe reported running out of stocks.
The reasons for the haggis shortage are unclear. New rules mean ‘meat preparations’ such as sausages cannot be exported to Europe, but this should not apply to haggis which is cooked or heat treated.
One possible problem stems from ‘groupage loads’, when multiple products are taken in one lorry, causing complications over which rules apply to which products.
Many products not only require an export health certificate but also attract duty depending on fat and sugar content, leading to problems with ‘consistency in how the rules are applied’ at borders.
The restrictions, which came into effect on January 1, also mean it is illegal for an individual to take haggis to the continent – even for personal consumption.
Edinburgh-based Macsween sells more than two million portions of haggis each January, including to the EU, making up 30 per cent of its annual turnover.
Managing director James Macsween said: ‘Our mail order partner has experienced quite significant difficulties, with around 50 per cent of parcels rejected.
‘On a typical Burns month we would usually see around 500 parcels going to Europe. This year about 150 have been sent, with up to 70 not being delivered at all.’
Most rejections have been from Spain, with some from France and Italy. Mr Macsween said it appears ‘every country is dealing with import restrictions differently’.
Anthony George, managing director of Stonemanor, which runs British shops in Belgium and delivers across Europe, said: ‘The stock levels of haggis at our stores are extremely depleted.
‘We haven’t been able to get any deliveries from the UK so far this year. We hope to start getting product to our stores late next week or early the following week – but too late for Burns Night.
‘All the Scots abroad will just have to have another glass of whisky instead to toast Burns.’
Martijn Korvers, from Brussels, celebrates Burns Night every year after visiting Scotland ten years ago. He said: ‘The lack of events this year sent me haggis hunting. The supermarkets didn’t have any and I couldn’t find any online shops delivering haggis to Belgium.’
His local Caledonian society had no luck either – managing to secure the delicacy only in a tin.
Martin Morgan, of the Scottish Meat Wholesalers Association, said his members were taking a ‘cautious’ approach to delivering to Europe, adding: ‘Export volumes are down on previous years as they learn to cope with the new rules and test the system out’.
He added: ‘Our biggest challenge is getting consistency on how the rules are applied before the product is despatched to Europe.’