Greece’s Nereus Shipping, an affiliate of CM Lemos, has added three more tankers to its orderbook.
The Piraeus-based tanker and bulker outfit has revealed three suezmax newbuilds would be joining its fleet in 2027.
Splash understands the 158,600 dwt ships will be built at Japan Marine United, which marks the company’s return to Japan’s second largest shipbuilder after nearly eight years when four suezmaxes were booked for construction, including the 2019-built Homeric (pictured).
Nereus lists 14 ships in its fleet, of which 11 tankers. In July 2022, the company ordered its first LR2 tankers, which should deliver from Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding in 2025.
Despite regional areas being vastly less populated than urban centres, fatalities on rural and regional roads account for about two-thirds of the road toll every year, with 811 lives lost in 2023.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said as the nation’s heavy vehicle safety regulator, it was distressing to still see too many deaths on Australian roads each year – including incidents involving trucks and buses.
“Losing a friend, family or loved one in a road accident is always a tragedy, and – particularly in rural and regional communities – can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on local communities,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We know in our experience at the NHVR that travelling on rural and regional roads comes with unique challenges and risks – speed limits are greater, roads may be unsealed and there can be more environmental challenges such as animals or visual obstructions.
“It is why we want to use Rural Road Safety Month to implore all road users to ensure they are taking extra caution when getting behind the wheel, including being well-rested and ready to drive.”
Of the 92 lives lost in collisions involving heavy vehicles from January to July this year, 60 were in regional, rural or remote areas.
The rate of serious road-related injury in rural areas is also nearly twice as high compared to major cities.
Mr Petroccitto said it was crucial road users remember large heavy vehicles have added blind spots, and take longer to slow down.
“Trucks play an important role in keeping Australia moving, so we want to remind light vehicle drivers what they can do to help keep our roads safe – particularly on those rural highways where they are more likely to encounter large trucks,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“It is important to always maintain a safe following distance, only overtake when it is safe to do so, and give heavy vehicles extra space.
“Sadly, collisions involving a heavy vehicle – because of their size and weight – are much more likely to have devastating outcomes for those involved.
“It is why at the NHVR we are so passionate about playing our part to drive down the road toll and ensure all motorists – including our nation’s truckies – are getting home safe.”
Firefighters succeeded on Wednesday in reducing the extent of a massive wildfire that blazed for two days and destroyed 20% of a forest in the Brazilian capital, cloaking the city in clouds of gray-white smoke, Reuters reported, citing officials who suspect that it may have been started by arsonists.
The National Forest of Brasilia is a conservation area that extends over 5,600 hectares of woodland that protects the springs that are the source of 70% of the city’s freshwater.
The fire broke out at the peak of the dry season when vegetation is parched and temperatures high allowing flames to spread fast.
“We have put out three of the four blazes and we hope to have the fire under control by the end of the day,” said Fabio dos Santos Miranda, who manages the forest.
“We are sure this was an environmental crime, but we haven’t confirmed if it was intentional or not,” he said in an interview, adding that three suspected arsonists were seen in the area where the fire started.
Firefighters struggled to contain the forest fire and stop it spreading to adjacent orchards where farmers grow tomatoes and flowers.
“We are working to protect the orchards, but the wind is blowing the fire towards them and the sparks fly a long way.” said fireman Major Godoy.
Emilia Vasconcellos, who raises cattle and chickens on a farm at risk of being caught in the blaze, said she thought people had set off the fire to clear land for themselves, but she had no evidence.
The forest was cut in size by almost half in 2022 to give way to urban development by the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who reduced environmental controls and allowed deforestation to surge in the Amazon rainforest.
A record drought in the Amazon increased fires in the rainforest for the month of August to the highest level since 2010, government data showed on Sunday.
Last year’s rains came late and were weaker than usual because a weather pattern, known as El Nino, was supercharged by climate change, leaving the rainforest especially vulnerable to this year’s fires.
Allergen compliance has become a critical issue, with lives at stake when producers fail to meet standards. How far has the industry progressed since the introduction of Natasha’s Law and what are the true costs of getting it wrong?
In recent years, the tragic deaths of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, Hannah Jacobs, Celia Marsh, Owen Carey and Megan Lee have underscored the life-threatening dangers posed by food allergens.
These cases represent a profound failure in allergen compliance within the food industry. This has significant ramifications, as non-compliance not only carries devastating personal costs but also significant financial, legal and reputational risks.
The tragic cost of non-compliance
Hannah Jacobs, a 13-year-old with a severe dairy allergy, died in February 2023 after consuming a hot chocolate at Costa Coffee, which she believed had been made with soya milk. Despite her mother informing staff of her daughter’s allergy, the drink was allegedly prepared with cow’s milk, leading to anaphylaxis and her subsequent death.
This tragedy mirrors other high-profile cases, including that of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, whose fatal allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a Pret-a-Manger baguette in 2016 prompted significant changes in the UK’s allergen labeling laws, now known as Natasha’s Law.
These deaths illustrate the human toll that allergen mismanagement can take, emphasizing the need for businesses to improve compliance, training and transparency.
“A single death from undeclared or mismanaged allergens is one death too many,” said Jessica Merryfield, head of Policy for Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
“It’s devastating to hear of another life cut short due to a lack of understanding the needs of a food hypersensitive consumer. The tragic death of Hannah Jacobs is an unwelcome reminder that all businesses must take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to allergens.”
Tragic deaths highlight need for improved allergen labeling
Celia Marsh (41) died in 2017 after suffering an allergic reaction to a vegan wrap from Pret a Manger; the same year, Owen Cary, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, died after consuming a chicken containing buttermilk from Byron Burger. On New Year’s Day 2017, 15-year-old Megan Lee died from peanuts in an Indian takeaway; and in 2016, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (15) died after having an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a baguette from Pret.
Added Merryfield, “CTSI has a wealth of multi-language information that business can access for free to help them understand their responsibilities and put good allergen control and information measures into practice.”
Allergen-related deaths in numbers
UK: Between 1998 and 2018, ASA recorded 152 deaths due to food-induced anaphylaxis, according to FSA.
US: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food allergies cause 150-200 deaths annually.
Australia: The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) reports increasing rates of food-induced anaphylaxis, with fatalities especially among teenagers.
Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common triggers for fatal anaphylaxis, but closely followed by milk, shellfish and sesame. Many deaths are linked to accidental cross-contamination in food preparation areas or mislabeling of food products.
Financial and legal ramifications
Pic: GettyImages/serggn
The costs of failing to comply with allergen regulations extend beyond the tragic human consequences.
Businesses that don’t properly manage allergens face severe financial penalties and lawsuits. Pret a Manger, for example, was fined £800k following the death of Celia Marsh, who suffered an allergic reaction to a dairy ingredient in a vegan wrap. Beyond fines, the financial costs of failures include potential lawsuits, loss of consumer trust and damaged reputations.
How tragedy sparked change
Pret a Manger wasn’t fined following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse because at the time, UK laws did not require full ingredient labeling on pre-packaged foods made onsite. However, the teen’s death led to significant changes in allergen labeling laws, resulting in the introduction of Natasha’s Law, which came into effect in 2021.
Anita Kinsey, senior technical & safety manager for Pret, emphasizes the importance of robust allergen management systems.
“Over the past six years, Pret has established an industry-leading approach to helping customers with allergies, including developing the Pret Allergy Plan,” she told Bakery&Snacks.
“We were the first food-to-go business to introduce full ingredient labels on all freshly made products, two years ahead of the Government’s legislation. Through the Plan, Pret has played a leading role in developing allergen policies, which it has shared across the food-to-go industry.
“This has involved looking at our processes end-to-end: reviewing our supply chain, product development, kitchen processes and our in-shop experience. Alongside the introduction of full ingredient labels, all Team Members undergo allergy awarenesses courses and our managers take supervised allergen exams.
“Our goal is to help every customer get the information they need to make the right choice for them. Allergen management should be constantly reviewed to ensure it’s as effective as possible. Sharing best practices on allergen management, communication and education is key, which is why Pret has always encouraged collaboration through our Industry Exchange Group, set up in 2019. We’re always open to new approaches to better support people with allergies, and we’re proud to support the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s work.”
The law requires all foods prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) – such as sandwiches ad cakes packed on site – to include a full list of ingredients, with allergens clearly emphasized. It came in response to the failure to properly label allergens in pre-packaged food, which contributed to Natasha’s death.
“Since the introduction of Natasha’s Law, we have seen a positive impact for consumers,” Dr James Cooper, deputy director of Food Policy at Food Standards Agency (FSA), told this site.
“FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) play an important role in ensuring that consumers with food hypersensitivities are protected. “In the lead-up to the introduction of Natasha’s Law, we worked with the food industry, allergy charities, local authorities and academics to prepare businesses and consumers for these new changes by producing practical tools and guidance.
Since its introduction, there has been progress in the food industry. Large retailers and food-to-go chains have adapted, investing in new labeling technologies and staff training.
Despite these improvements however, there are still challenges, especially for small businesses, many of which have struggled to afford the costs of new labeling technologies and the rigorous training required for compliance.
“We continue to work closely with partners to ensure that our guidance for businesses is robust, ensuring that consumers are to be able to enjoy food with confidence and have confidence in the choices they make”.
Challenges and area for improvement
Pic: GettyImages/john dory
While the introduction of Natasha’s Law has brought about positive changes, gaps remain in allergen management.
One of the most pressing issues is inconsistent communication about allergens in non-prepacked foods, especially in restaurants and smaller establishments.
Advice for food producers
“Food producers – from major manufacturers to small food-to-go independents – should ensure that allergen information is accurately and prominently displayed on all packaging, menus and online platforms, making it easy for customers to make informed decisions and identify potential allergens,” said Allergy UK’s Miles.
“This clarity should be maintained at every stage, including when sourcing ingredients from suppliers to avoid cross-contamination. Additionally, well-trained staff play a critical role in communicating allergen information effectively, as this helps them confidently address customer inquiries.”
Simone Miles, CEO of Allergy UK, explained, “The most significant challenge for people with food allergies is insufficient and inconsistent allergen information.”
She also highlighted the need for comprehensive staff training across the food industry.
“There is a need for comprehensive allergy training for employees at every level of food service. This should be mandatory to ensure that everyone in the food service chain understands the complexities of allergen management.”
She added, “The most significant challenge for people with food allergies is insufficient and inconsistent allergen information. Confusing blanket ‘may contain’ statements, inconsistent labeling formats and coded ingredient listings that make it difficult for someone with an allergy to feel confident that the product is safe to eat.
“This issue is particularly acute in the bakery aisle of major supermarkets, where many products carry broad ‘may contain’ warnings for the top 14 allergens, effectively making this section off-limits for those managing food allergies.”
Moreover, cross-contamination remains a significant risk in food preparation areas. Allergy UK continues to advocate for stricter controls and clearer labeling to mitigate these risks and protect consumers. The organization has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with food allergies and in pushing for stronger regulations.
The role of consumer advocacy
Consumer watchdogs have been instrumental in driving changes in allergen legislation. The introduction of Natasha’s Law was a direct result of the campaigning efforts by Natasha’s family and organizations like the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Advocacy remains a critical force in enforcing the importance of clear, transparent labeling and consistent allergen management practices across the industry.factbox
These groups provide a vital voice for individuals with food allergies, helping to ensure that their needs are met and that businesses take their responsibilities seriously.
The way forward
Pic: GettyImages/Ljupco
The food industry has made considerable progress in allergen compliance since the introduction of Natasha’s Law, but there is still much work to be done. As Dr Cooper noted, “We continue to work closely with partners to ensure that our guidance for businesses is robust.”
Ongoing education, enforcement, and technological innovation will be key to reducing the risks associated with food allergens and ensuring that consumers can enjoy food safely.
Ultimately, as the tragic deaths of youngsters like Hannah Jacobs and Natasha Ednan-Laperouse remind us, the cost of getting allergen compliance wrong is far too high. Businesses need to prioritize allergen safety, not only to avoid legal penalties and guard brand reputation, but most importantly, to protect the lives of their customers.
The fine balance of reformulation
Too many people are consuming large amounts of foods high in fat, sugars and sodium (HFSS) and this is causing 8 million premature deaths globally every year, according to the WHO. This has caused policymakers and governments to ramp up action to make the food environment healthier – placing the onus on the shoulders of the food industry – producers, foodservice and retailers – to help consumers eat smartly.
Food reformulation is the process of altering the processing or composition of a product to improve its nutritional profile. It usually takes place through gradual, unobtrusive changes to recipes to, for example, to remove allergens, adjust ingredients, or to reduce ‘harmful’ nutrients such as salt, saturates and sugar.
However, it’s a process that requires more than just eliminating or swapping out an ingredient and poses many technical challenges for manufacturers. One of the biggest challenges, too, is the relatively poor understanding of how to change behavior for the good and in the long term. It’s a concept that no producer can afford to ignore – but what is all the fuss?
Watch out for Bakery&Snacks’ webinar on Reformulation going live on October 25.
How were the genetic evaluations impacted by these changes?
The most significant changes have affected all yield traits (Milk, Fat and Protein) and Heifer Livability, along with correlated traits such as Productive Life and Cow Livability in some cases. Breed Base Representation (BBR) values have been updated, as the annual reference population update was paired with the introduction of a revised (smaller) SNP list.
The combined result of these updates is that values for the Lifetime Net Merit $ (NM$) index shifted.
Let’s break down each change and its impact on the evaluations, using bull data as a representative sample. Similar trends are anticipated for cows and heifers.
305-AA: A New Standardized Yield Measurement
The introduction of 305-AA (Average Age) has likely been the most noticeable change in the August 2024 evaluations. This new standardization for yield records adopts a completely different standard (transitioning from the 305-ME mature equivalent to a 36-month average age), and the age, parity, and season adjustment factors are updated. Season adjustments are now calculated across five U.S. climate regions, compared to the previous three geographical regions, which more accurately reflects environmental differences. Most importantly, the new factors are breed-specific, meaning each breed experienced different impacts from this change.
Holsteins see an increase in Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) for Milk, Fat and Protein, resulting in a slight upward trend of about +10 to +15 NM$, depending on the bull group (genomic or proven).
The most notable change is a significant reduction in Jersey PTAs for Milk, Fat and Protein (around -100, -6, and -6 pounds, respectively). This reduction leads to a decrease in NM$, averaging between -70 and -50 NM$.
Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire bulls experience more stability, with smaller fluctuations around zero.
Heifer Livability
Heifer Livability values showed larger-than-usual changes due to the inclusion of two years’ worth of previously missed records. Also introduced was a new editing criteria that is more specific to herd conditions and has a small extra-effect. As more data is incorporated into this Heifer Livability, reliability for many animals increased. These changes also indirectly affect correlated traits like Productive Life (PL) and Cow Livability (LIV), with PL decreasing by an average of -0.2.
SNP List and BBR Reference Population Updates
This update impacted specific animals or groups. It did not significantly affect overall statistics – except for crossbred animals. A BBR reference population update typically alters the purebred/crossbred status of animals and adjusts the weights used to calculate final PTAs for crossbred animals. When combined with a new SNP list, these changes become more pronounced, leading to greater variability in crossbred evaluations in this August run. As mentioned previously, most of these changes will affect animals genotyped at low density or with incomplete pedigrees … and animals with BBR changes. The haplotype status of many animals has changed in the August run, due to the SNP list update, particularly the adjustments in HH6 (sixth Holstein haplotype affecting fertility) and JNS (Jersey Neuropathy with Splayed Forelimbs) to incorporate more direct information.
VICTORIAN company D&A Martin Transport has been convicted and fined $350,000 after a truck driver died following a fall from the top of a trailer.
The company pleaded guilty in Melbourne County Court to a single charge of failing to provide and maintain plant that was safe and without risks to health.
WorkSafe Victoria investigated the January 2022 incident in Maffra which saw a truck driver fall from a trailer and later die from injuries sustained.
In January 2022, the 60-year-old driver was collecting a load of grain from a depot at Maffra in the Gippsland region in south-eastern Victoria.
The task required him to climb on top of the trailer to check the hatches.
Both sides of the trailer were fitted with guard rails which were raised by flicking a switch.
However, the front section of the right-side guard rail failed to raise, so that when the driver reached out for it while leaning forward he overbalanced and fell about 3.9m from the top of the trailer to the concrete ground below.
He was found unresponsive by another worker and died in hospital the following day.
WorkSafe’s investigation found the guard rail failed due to a lack of inspection and maintenance and repairs that had previously been made were poorly done.
The court found it was reasonably practicable for the company to have implemented a qualified inspection and maintenance regime for the guardrails, and to have ensured any faults were competently repaired or the guardrails replaced in accordance with Australian Standards if repairs were not enough to make them safe.
WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Sam Jenkin said the case sadly highlighted the potential consequences when employers neglected proper maintenance.
“It is not enough for employers to have a fall prevention device in place, they must also make sure they are in good working order to do the job they have been designed to do,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Falls from height remain a leading cause of death and serious injury in Victorian workplaces and WorkSafe will take action against any employer that fails to take the risks seriously.”
To prevent falls from height, employers should:
Eliminate the risk by, where practicable, doing all or some of the work on the ground or from a solid construction;
Use a passive fall prevention device such as scaffolds, perimeter screens, guardrails, safety mesh or elevating work platforms and ensure they are regularly inspected and maintained by a suitably qualified person;
Use a positioning system, such as a travel-restraint system, to ensure employees work within a safe area;
Use a fall arrest system, such as a harness, catch platform or safety nets, to limit the risk of injuries in the event of a fall; and,
Use a fixed or portable ladder, or implement administrative controls.
USDA is due out today with its latest forecast for farm income, and the numbers are expected to be bad. Look for more new calls for Congress to pass a new farm bill to shore up incomes of row crop producers.
Keep in mind: Commodity prices have tumbled amid expectations for bumper crops this fall. The latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment dropped sharply in August.
But lawmakers still face the challenge of figuring out how to pay for increasing Price Loss Coverage reference prices and making other changes to commodity programs and crop insurance that would benefit farmers.
Rural co-ops to get $7.3 billion for clean energy
President Joe Biden and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will be in the swing state of Wisconsin today to announce $7.3 billion in federal funding for rural electric co-ops around the country to carry out clean energy projects.
Vilsack says it’s the largest investment in rural electrification since the New Deal and will create 4,500 permanent jobs and 16,000 construction jobs.
Take note: The announcement is taking place in Westby, a small town in Wisconsin’s 3rd District, a seat currently held by Republican House Ag Committee member Derrick Van Orden. It’s one of a handful of ag districts that could determine control of the U.S. House in the next Congress. The state of Wisconsin also is considered a key battleground.
Some details: The co-ops are using $29 billion in private investments to help build more than 10 gigawatts of clean energy, which will “reduce and avoid at least 43.7 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to removing more than 10 million cars off the road every year,” USDA says.
For example, Dairyland Power Cooperative, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, “plans to leverage its funding for a total investment of $2.1 billion,” USDA says. Dairyland will buy 1.08 gigawatts of renewable energy through four solar installations and four wind power installations across rural portions of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois.
House panel subpoenas Walz, USDA over pandemic food fraud scheme
The House Education and Workforce Committee has subpoenaed USDA, the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, seeking information on how they handled what’s being called the largest pandemic fraud scheme in the country.
The committee’s Republican majority is seeking documents showing how Walz’s administration and the USDA oversaw Minnesota-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future. The organization allegedly defrauded USDA of over $250 million intended to feed children.
To date, 70 individuals have been charged for their parts in the scheme and five have been convicted of fraud.
The committee originally sent a subpoena to USDA in 2022 seeking information about the agency’s role. In the cover letter of the latest subpoena, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said USDA’s production of the requested information has been “neither timely nor fully responsive.”
“As the chief executive and the highest ranking official in the state of Minnesota, you are responsible for the MDE and its administration of [federal child nutrition programs],” Foxx said in the cover letter to Walz’s subpoena. “Statements in the press by you and your representatives indicate that you and other executive officers were involved, or had knowledge of, MDE’s administration of the FCNP and responsibilities and actions regarding the massive fraud.”
The latest subpoena requests specific documents and communications related to Feeding our Future, and gives USDA, Walz and MDE until Sept. 18 to comply. None are required to testify.
Walz response: A spokesperson for Walz called the fraud “an appalling abuse of a federal COVID-era program. The state Department of Education worked diligently to stop the fraud and we’re grateful to the FBI for working with the Department of Education to arrest and charge the individuals involved.”
And USDA’s: “As has been well documented, the scheme by those associated with Feeding our Future began in 2020 under the previous administration, and charges were brought against the aforementioned individuals in 2022. Defendants associated with Feeding our Future are facing litigation by the Department of Justice. USDA does not comment on ongoing litigation and refers inquiries on the matter to the Department of Justice.”
Airlines to lawmakers: Bigger, longer tax incentive needed
A coalition representing airlines, biofuel producers, Boeing, and other segments of the aviation industry is calling on Congress to provide a larger and longer-duration tax incentive for sustainable aviation fuel.
The Inflation Reduction created two incentives for SAF, a 40B tax credit that expires at the end of this year, and the 45Z clean fuels tax credit that starts in 2025 and lasts for three years.
In a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee, the SAF Coalition says the 45Z credit doesn’t last long enough and, depending on the carbon intensity of a particular fuel, may not be worth as much as the expiring 40B credit.
“Along with extension of the 45Z credit, enhancing the value of the credit will further support the long-term investment needed to bolster U.S. SAF leadership,” the letter says.
Broadband providers: Loss of Universal Service Fund would imperil projects
A federal appeals court ruling that the funding mechanism for the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund is unconstitutional could raise broadband rates for rural Americans and cancel around $1.9 billion worth of deployment projects over the next few years. That’s the finding from a survey of 200 broadband providers by the NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association.
Without these funds, consumers would need to make up the difference through fee increases. A rate increase of this size would “more than double the $30 affordability gap created by the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program,” according to an NTCA press release,
Some 68% of respondents said they would need to cancel deployment projects slated for next year, while 71% said they would need to cancel projects for 2026.
Take note: The USF is still operating as normal. The 5th Circuit has given the FCC until Sept. 30 to petition the Supreme Court to take up the case. If it doesn’t, the court’s judgment will take effect.
Final word: More than 47 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2023, according to USDA’s annual Household Food Security Report, released Wednesday. An estimated 13.5% of U.S. households struggled with food security last year, which is up from previous years. Read more about USDA’s latest report here.
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has called for the government to press ahead with negotiating a new veterinary agreement with the EU, in a new Meat Industry Manifesto.
Launching the manifesto, the BMPA warns that the British abattoir industry is under threat from falling farm production, increasingly onerous trade barriers and a systemic labour shortage and points out that abattoir numbers have declined from around 2500 in the 1970s to just 203 today.
“This should worry UK consumers and government alike because, once we go beyond a tipping point where we don’t have a viable abattoir industry, it will lead to a sharper decline in domestic farming, a heavier reliance on imported meat and the loss of a key pillar of UK food security. It’s already happening. Growth is turning to decline,” the association said.
“This might be a contentious statement, but the meat processing industry can survive without British livestock. If necessary, British meat processors could replace meat from UK reared animals with imported meat, and just focus on processing and packaging products for sale. But British livestock farmers can’t survive without abattoirs.”
The 20-page manifesto includes a number of changes the association would like to see, as the new government settles into power.
“The single thing that would bring the biggest benefits to the UK food supply chain and British shoppers alike is a veterinary agreement with our biggest trading partner, the EU,” it states.
In its manifesto, BMPA says a common veterinary agreement would be ‘a simple, pragmatic solution that would restore our two-way trade in food to the efficient, cost-effective system it was before, but without the need to re-join the EU’.
“A common veterinary agreement would simply formalise the UK’s adherence to the food standards that it must already follow in order to trade with the EU. And it would do away with the mountain of red-tape and extra cost that the industry is currently labouring under.”
Alongsie, this the manifesto calls for ‘formal alignment with EU sanitary and phytosanitary regulations’ to facilitate trade both ways.
It urges the government to ‘match British Standards with those of our new trading partners with whom we sign free trade agreements’ and for ‘any requirements or standards that are developed from newly developed environmental metrics should be proportionate, so food producers can reasonably comply with them’.
You can read the full manifesto, including more recommendations, HERE
BMPA CEO Nick Allen said: “Since we left the EU the British meat industry has come under pressure from increased bureaucracy, tougher trade barriers and worker shortages. Government policy has played a dominant role and shaped the current trading environment.
“But many policy decisions have been made in a departmental vacuum, without a full understanding of the impacts and unintended consequences they will have on different parts of the food chain. Often, one problem is fixed, only to create another.
“We see the election of a new Labour government as an opportunity to re-set how government and industry work together to share on-the-ground intelligence that will help shape pragmatic, workable policies that strengthen Britain’s long-term food security. Our Meat Industry Manifesto sets out that ideal big picture and offers practical solutions to achieve it.”
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Dive Brief:
Hy-Vee has partnered with food tech company Deliverect to simplify grab-and-go, curbside pickup and delivery ordering at the grocer’s Fast & Fresh convenience stores, the companies announced on Tuesday.
Deliverect’s solution automates the ordering process by taking customer input from kiosks and digital platforms and sending it directly to that store’s point of sale system. Deliverect has also built a customer curbside notification solution for Fast & Fresh, according to the announcement.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee joins a growing list of retailers streamlining their food ordering technology stack as labor challenges persist and fresh options become a priority.
Dive Insight:
With automated ordering, workers at Fast & Fresh can focus their time and attention on creating food rather than taking orders. Deliverect’s solution also provides automated order status updates and lets menus update from a central location, further saving work hours.
“Convenience stores are at an exciting juncture as they begin to play alongside restaurants in the food delivery arena, and technology is necessary to make this shift successful,” said Noah Hayes, Americas vice president at Deliverect.
Hy-Vee and Deliverect began their partnership with a three-month pilot program in January. Deliverect’s software ties directly into Fast & Fresh’s Market Grille Express foodservice stations, which are found at around 70 of Hy-Vee’s 190 convenience stores, as well as its mobile app.
Fast & Fresh also uses Deliverect’s analytics to make data-driven decisions about its menu.
The retailer is already seeing an impact. Jennifer Lambert, senior VP of IT strategy and planning for Hy-Vee, said these integrations “have dramatically increased the speed of our curbside pickup service while providing us with key insights to keep our operations running smoothly and our customers happy.”
Belgian tech company Deliverect works with more than 50,000 establishments in 52 countries and has partnered with brands like Burger King and Little Caesars.
Philly’s Latin Love Affair: Latino Restaurants Celebrated During Restaurant Week
If there were any doubt about the popularity of Philadelphia’s Dine Latino Restaurant Week, social media analytics should clear that up. Last year, the event inspired 940,000 social media impressions. Dine Latino Restaurant Week – which returns starting Sept. 15, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month – celebrates Latino-owned restaurants, allowing them to showcase their authentic flavors and traditions.
The week-long event, now in its ninth iteration, celebrates some of the most creative of the United States’ 101,009 restaurants that serve Latino or similar food (per pewresearch.org).
“Dine Latino Restaurant Week not only showcases the culinary brilliance and cultural diversity of Latino-owned establishments, but also provides crucial support and recognition for these businesses,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The week features an expansive list of Latino-operated restaurants, highlighting a broad array of culinary styles. There’s no cost to the participating restaurants, which will offer free appetizers or dessert (with the purchase of a pair of dinner entrees).
Additionally, the GPHCC will host a Dine Latino Chef’s Tasting event with Nicole Marquis, founder of Hip City Veg, Bar Bombon, and Charlie Was a Sinner. Attendees can indulge in a plant-based culinary journey crafted by the creative minds behind some of Philadelphia’s favorite vegan establishments. The intimate gathering offers an opportunity for foodies to interact with a featured chef while gaining insight into the stories behind the creators.
“We’re thrilled to partner with restaurants both within and beyond Philadelphia,” Rodriguez said, “celebrating a diverse range of culinary offerings.”
