Scots salmon exports hit hard
“It’s having an extremely detrimental effect on the business,” John Dunlop, Quality Manager, explained to Fish Farming expert this morning.
“Although the situation has improved greatly since the start of Operation Stack, we’ve been hit with a double whammy – we might have 500 trailers stuck in in England and 500 stuck in Calais.
“And because we do groupage deliveries, not one but 50-100 customer can be affected by any one lorry being delayed.
“And our only alternative – travelling by ferry – is no better because all the other lorries are trying to use the same routes.
“Our French customers are becoming very unhappy and are rejecting some deliveries and seeking compensation. They argue that we can get compensation from Eurostar or the UK and French authorities, but we have about as much chance of getting that as we do of flying to Mars tomorrow.
“Our hauliers are also complaining – not only are they are now only able to make about one trip a week on average instead of two but there’s also a safety risk with people trying to break into their cabs.”
Thankfully, there is some progress being made and today the Scottish Government has announced plans to pilot a “quick to market” route for vehicles caught up in delays at the Channel Tunnel.
The scheme will be operated by Kent Police and follows representations by the Scottish Government for the action to prioritise fresh produce caught up in delays at Calais.
Fisheries and Food Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government has repeatedly called for action from the outset of this disruption, and so I welcome this move to prioritise key consignments – including fresh produce – through the Channel Tunnel and Port of Dover. At last we are seeing common sense prevail and a recognition of the impact on food exporters.
“Agreement of this protocol to prioritise a quick to market route is real progress and we will, of course, monitor its introduction and effectiveness.
“While it is by no means a solution to the wider and on-going complex situation in Calais, it will be welcomed by Scottish seafood exporters who have seen orders plummet by up to 80 per cent in some categories in recent weeks. These delays at Calais have had a disproportionate and damaging impact on our vital food processing sector.
“With seafood exports worth five times as much in Scotland as the UK as a whole, we have been determined to find a way forward. With no end in sight to the situation at Calais, we will continue to look at options around alternative routes which could be used by hauliers.
“The situation in Calais remains difficult and requires a multi-agency response involving both the UK and French authorities. The Scottish Government remains particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in relation to migrants and will urge the UK to play its part in a co-ordinated and comprehensive EU plan of action in order to deal with the serious and pressing issues around the migrant crisis.”
