New Lamb War salvo
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• British hauliers are bearing the brunt of the latest escalation in the political row with France over the continuing "Iamb war".
Earlier this week French customs officers at the ports started to impose new restrictions on the importing of meat.
They have been ordered to check all documents accompanying the shipments, unload the lamb carcases, check and weigh them. It is a familiar delaying tactic used before when the French government has wanted to placate its farmers.
Central Road Transport, the Somerset-based company attacked by a mob of angry French farmers two weeks ago (CM, Oct 18), was one of the first to fall foul of the new rules.
One of its lorries was held up overnight in Cherbourg. Next morning its entire load was taken off and the consignment rigorously checked. "This held our driver up by more than 16 hours and meant we lost our return load of French apples," said a company spokesman.
The problem is not just confined to the ports. G. R. Cadwallader of Oswestry, Shropshire, ran into similar difficulties in Rungis, at the unloading point.
A company spokesman said: "We had no problem at the port of entry but had to wait for a full weight check when we unloaded. This is something we have not experienced in the past and our two vehicles were delayed for more than half a day."