UK fresh produce industry demands full compensation

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) is demanding full and immediate compensation for UK businesses affected by the impact of the E.coli outbreak in Germany, now confirmed to be linked to the consumption of raw sprouted seeds produced locally in Germany.

’The UK fresh produce industry suffered significant losses and a drop in consumption of salad products due to unfounded and premature claims made by the German authorities of a link to fresh fruit and vegetables,’ said Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the FPC. ’Exhaustive tests have proved that there is no link between this strain of E.coli and fresh produce. We are demanding that both the German authorities and the European Commission provide full and immediate compensation to UK businesses which are suffering from their incompetence in handling this serious outbreak. Defra must do more to fight the cause for the UK industry and rebuild consumer confidence.’

’The European Commission is talking about implementing a promotional campaign to support the fresh produce industry and restore public confidence. Now the Commission expects the industry to pay up to half the costs of a campaign which won’t get off the ground until autumn. Expecting the industry to cover the cost of the German authorities’ incompetence just adds salt to the wound. This campaign will be far too little, and too late,’ added Nigel Jenney.

Food poisoning outbreaks linked with the contamination of fresh produce remain extremely rare in the UK. Good agricultural practices, hygiene preparations and packaging minimise the potential for contamination. The fresh produce industry has stringent standards in place to ensure that consumers can enjoy safe, healthy, good quality fresh produce.