Yesterday (2 February) during a candid interview on BBC Countryfile, Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), John Davidson of, family owned, Tom Brown Wholesale and Mike Parr, CEO of PML Seafrigo UK and Ireland, shed new light on the ongoing impact of BTOM inspections and their devastating effect on the sector.

Their revelations paint a stark picture of an industry under mounting pressure, where suppliers are increasingly questioning the sustainability of current government policies.
Jenney, who has long been at the forefront of industry debates, spoke passionately about the Common User Charge (CUC) a fee that is made solely to unload the vehicles, to allow the inspections to take place, regardless of whether those good are inspected or not. “This charge currently impacts businesses by around £50,000 to £60,000 annually," Jenney explained. "And that’s just the tip of the iceberg because, if you start including the cost of delays and the cost of damage, which happens from time to time, those costs just ever increase."
Jenney's comments resonate strongly, especially among smaller businesses that are finding the pressure simply intolerable in today’s competitive market.
Adding further concern, John Davidson highlighted that last year alone, businesses were hit with an extra £250,000 in costs.
This substantial increase in expenditure is causing widespread distress, with many suppliers now contemplating whether they can continue operating under such onerous conditions.
"We absorbed it as much as we could," explained Davidson, "but there comes a point when you just can't absorb it any more."

“We’ve become the country that no-one wants to supply anymore,” added Mike Parr, CEO of PML Seafrigo UK and Ireland, his words encapsulating the growing disillusionment among stakeholders.
“Ultimately there will be less products available or, alternatively, UK consumers will bear the brunt of the cost, which will undoubtedly be passed on to them,” Jenney warned.
This stark prediction serves as a wake-up call to both policymakers and consumers alike, as the ripple effects of the BTOM inspections threaten to further disrupt the delicate balance of the market.
The BTOM effect – now a term that encapsulates the cascading impact of escalating operational costs and stringent inspections – has left the supply chain in a precarious state.
The combined pressures of increased charges and unexpected expenses are pushing many businesses to the brink, raising serious questions about the future of the British industry landscape.
As Jenney, Davidson and Parr emphasised during their interview, there is an urgent need for a reassessment of current policies. Without swift intervention and comprehensive reform, the ongoing strain is set to erode market diversity, leaving both suppliers and consumers grappling with diminished choice and rising costs.
The BBC Countryfile interview has undoubtedly shone a light on the pressing challenges facing the industry.
The message from the experts is clear: if the situation remains unaddressed, the harsh reality of the BTOM effect will continue to undermine the competitiveness and resilience of the British economy.
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