Defra have confirmed that on 20^th February 2026, the Republic of Cyprus reported an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD):

This was detected in a cattle farm in Livadia, Larnaca.

As a result, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance has initiated restrictions against commercial imports of the following commodities from the Republic of Cyprus:

• live (including non-domestic) ruminant and porcine animals, including wild game, and their germplasm
• fresh meat from ruminant and porcine animals (including chilled and frozen)
• meat products from ruminant and porcine animals that have not been subject to heat treatment D1, D, C or B as defined in Annex 1 (including wild game)
• milk, colostrum and their products, unless subjected to treatment as defined in Article 4 of Regulation 2010/605 (see Annex 1)
• certain animal by-products (a full list of which is provided in Annex 2)
• casings derived from FMD-susceptible species
• hay and straw

An Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) note has been published on gov.uk

For clarity Annex 1 sets out the specific risk mitigating treatments that are acceptable for imports of meat and dairy products from Cyprus.

If members have any queries in relation to these latest restrictions, please contact deniserion@bfff.co.uk for assistance, or email Defra’s Imports and EU Trade Team directly on bbtp-issue-triage@defra.gov.uk and imports@apha.gov.uk

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched a major new promotion offering more than £100,000 worth of prizes to its mybrakes rewards members.

Menu Match allows a mybrakes rewards customer to ‘Peel and Play’ to win prizes that include instant cashback, electronics, lifestyle items and much more.

Since its launch, mybrakes rewards has been a sea-change in foodservice loyalty, offering online cashback, exclusive deals, and personalised promotions based on sector and purchasing history. It currently has more than 15,000 active members, and Brakes has given back almost £6m in cashback through more than 400,000 personalised offers in the past year alone.

In addition, Brakes plants a tree for every redemption made, with more than 110,000 trees planted to date.

Leon French, Sysco GB Marketing Director, said: “Our goal is to provide customers with value every single time they log on and order. mybrakes rewards isn’t a one-off initiative; it’s a year-round commitment to providing tailored value and rewards that make a real difference to our customers.

“Menu Match provides customers with another chance to win, and it is already proving very popular.”

On 18th May 2026, 21‑year‑old fundraiser Samuel Attwell will set off on an extraordinary 350‑mile ultrarunning challenge from Malin Head to Mizen Head, one of Ireland’s toughest endurance routes, all to raise £50,000 for children with life‑threatening illnesses.

In a feat attempted by very few solo runners and almost none his age, Samuel will spend 10 consecutive days covering vast stretches of rural Ireland, battling harsh weather, fatigue, and unforgiving terrain.

His mission is to support Molly Ollys, a charity he represents as an ambassador, which helps grant wishes and provides vital emotional support to seriously ill children and their families.

Generous Sponsors Already On Board

Samuel has already secured over £12,000 in early sponsorship from businesses connected to his family, support that means everything as he prepares for this immense challenge. But he can’t do it alone. To reach his £50,000 goal for Molly Ollys, Samuel is calling on more sponsors and individuals to stand with him and support children who desperately need hope.

Samuel’s father, Oakland International Co-Founder Dean Attwell, commented: “Samuel’s courage, determination and compassion shine through every step of this challenge. What he’s doing goes beyond endurance, it’s about standing with families facing the unimaginable and making a powerful statement of hope for children and families in crisis.

“Oakland International is honoured to support him, and we urge other businesses and individuals to get behind Samuel to help make a meaningful difference.”

Molly Ollys CEO and Co-Founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “This is a massive challenge to take on and I am glad that we can be alongside Samuel as he paces through it. Samuel has done so much for Molly Ollys. From a very young age, he has wanted to get involved and volunteered at many events and fundraised on numerous occasions. For someone at his age to give so much time and energy is every inspiring. This is certainly going to be a tough one and I really hope that he gets all the support and encouragement that he deserves. I know it would mean so much to him to know his efforts have made a very real difference.”

Said Samuel: “I know how quickly life can change. That’s why I’m doing this.”

Samuel’s determination is deeply rooted in personal loss. Having lost his grandmother to cancer, and then, devastatingly, his best friend who passed away at just 18 years old, these experiences ignited a drive in him that goes far beyond sport.

“When you lose the people you love far too soon, it changes you. It makes you realise how precious time is especially for children who don’t get the chance to grow up. Running across Ireland is nothing compared to what these families face every day. If my miles can bring smiles, strength, or support to even one child, then every step will be worth it.” added Samuel.

10 Days, 350 Miles, One Immense Challenge

From 18th May, Samuel will embark on a journey from the northernmost tip of Ireland to its southernmost point, completing the route on 27th May.

Daily Route Breakdown:

• Day 1: Malin Head → Derry — 52km
• Day 2: Derry → Baragh — 68km
• Day 3: Baragh → Ballinamore — 52km
• Day 4: Ballinamore → Ballymahon — 61km
• Day 5: Ballymahon → Banagher — 48km
• Day 6: Banagher → Nenagh — 42km
• Day 7: Nenagh → Bruff — 55km
• Day 8: Bruff → Millstreet — 70km
• Day 9: Millstreet → Kealkill — 55km
• Day 10: Kealkill → Mizen Head — 55km

Almost 350 miles of rolling hills, quiet rural roads, and unpredictable Irish weather.

If successful, Samuel will join a very small and elite group and at just 21, become one of the youngest solo runners ever to complete the route.

Bringing the World Along for the Ride

Samuel plans to make the challenge highly visible sharing daily video updates, GPS maps and live progress, training insights, milestones and setbacks, and honest unfiltered footage.

His goal is to ignite momentum, inspire others, and make this challenge truly go viral.

“£50,000 isn’t just a target,” said Samuel. “It’s the difference we can make to the lives of so many poorly children.

“If I reach my fundraising target, then that money will deliver up to 100 wishes, provide more than 2,500 therapeutic toys and books and support vital projects in children’s hospitals. Molly Ollys stands beside families at the toughest moments of their lives and every pound raised strengthens that support.”

Samuel’s Final Message

“I’m asking people to join me, not on the road, but in spirit. Every pound is fuel. Every share helps spread awareness. Every message keeps me going. Let’s turn every mile into a moment of hope for the children who need it most.”

About Molly Ollys

Molly Olly’s Wishes (https://mollyolly.co.uk/) was launched by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw in 2011 following the loss of their daughter Molly. Since then, the charity has supported over 21,500 children across the country, granted 5,500 wishes, provided over 23,000 Olly The Brave books, and raised more than £5.7m.

Throughout the 15 years Molly Ollys has been running, it has raised more than £5 million; granted more than 4,300 wishes; supported more than 19,500 children and distributed more than 20,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals.

The charity works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.

Molly Ollys is also responsible for funding the first ever consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, in 2018 and further provided funding for two more consultants, doubling the number of existing roles in the region.

Molly Ollys need the support of companies and individuals to enable them to help more children. They welcome the opportunity to provide more information about their work. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.

For more than half a century, BFFF member Contact Attachments has been at the forefront of material‑handling engineering.  In an industry where reliability, safety and efficiency underpin every operation, frozen‑food businesses need partners who don’t just understand the challenges of the cold chain but who have helped shape the solutions that keep it moving.

As the pioneers behind the UK’s first mechanical forklift attachment range, the Contact Attachments team has seen the sector evolve greatly over the past 50 years.  And while the pressures facing today’s frozen‑food operators are more complex than ever – including stringent sustainability targets, labour shortages, and rising costs, one thing remains the same – the need for dependable, safe, and efficient equipment.

Built on Heritage

Cold‑store environments are unforgiving.  Sub‑zero temperatures, high-volume workflows, and strict compliance standards leave no room for equipment failure.  Working with a manufacturer that has spent decades refining, testing and evolving its designs gives operators confidence that every attachment is not only built to perform, but built to last.

Contact Attachments’ early mechanical attachment range set the benchmark for safety and durability.   These foundations still underpin the team’s engineering today, but they’ve been strengthened by years of real‑world insight, customer feedback and continuous product development.

Innovation That Moves the Industry Forward

The frozen food sector is evolving rapidly.  Higher volumes, tighter delivery windows and the rise of automation mean operators require equipment that is smarter, more adaptable and more efficient. In response, Contact Attachments continues to invest in new materials, improved ergonomics and bespoke engineering solutions tailored to the unique demands of cold store handling.

From attachments that minimise manual handling to designs that reduce forklift run time and improve energy efficiency, the company’s focus remains on helping customers operate more safely, efficiently and sustainably.

A True Partner

By choosing a supplier with both heritage and innovation, frozen food operators benefit from partners who can offer:

• Proven reliability | equipment that performs consistently in extreme conditions
• Engineering stability | designs backed by decades of testing and refinement
• Future-ready thinking | solutions that evolve alongside industry challenges
• Responsive support | expertise built on long-standing sector knowledge

Contact Attachments proudly supports cold chain businesses across the UK and beyond with equipment that combines the strength of its history with the momentum of continuous innovation.

If you’d like to discuss your manual handling requirements for your operations, please contact the team on 01686 611200 or via their website at www.forklift-attachments.co.uk.

Exporting fish and shellfish from the UK to Vietnam and South Korea offers growing business development opportunities, especially with supportive trade agreements and rising consumer demand.
As nations with extensive maritime coastlines, seafood has long been consumed as a staple food for many Vietnamese and South Korean people. Consumers in these countries are however also increasingly interested in varied international cuisines and higher-quality imported fish and shellfish – and growing middle class populations are driving demand for high-quality, safe, and traceable seafood from other parts of the world.
To highlight such exporting opportunities for UK seafood companies, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Seafish are partnering to undertake an inward mission visit to the UK in March by a group of seafood importing companies from Vietnam and South Korea.

The group will visit a number of locations to learn about the UK’s wider seafood industry, and more importantly, to have the opportunity to meet with UK exporters to discuss possible business and trading links.
While the core focus is on bringing South Korean and Vietnamese importers to the UK, the visiting inward mission group will also comprise a small number of seafood importer companies from Thailand and Australia. A total of 19 different seafood companies from the mentioned countries will visit the UK as part of the inward mission group.

As part of the group’s visit, Seafish are hosting a series of ‘meet the buyer’ events at four different UK locations – at which interested UK seafood companies will have an opportunity to meet with the visiting companies from Asia and Australia and to discuss possible business and trading opportunities – and doing so in a slightly more practical and economical way than might be involved if having to travel to Asia or Australia.

In addition to the various seafood importers from Asia and Australia, the ‘meet the buyer’ events will also see attendance by representatives from DBT, who will be on hand to discuss matters of wider support and assistance to UK seafood exporters.

The events will also see attendance from the UK Agriculture, Food and Drink Attachés from the British Embassies in Vietnam and South Korea, along with representation from the Export Support Service at the British Embassy in Thailand – who will be on hand to talk about and discuss wider exporting matters regarding the respective countries that they represent.

All interested UK seafood companies are invited to attend the planned events and meet with the various visiting companies.

There are four planned events – to which UK seafood companies would be warmly welcomed.
Details of the four events are:
• Monday 9 March
1000-1600 hours
The Buchan Braes Hotel, Peterhead, NE Scotland
www.buchanbraes.co.uk

• Wednesday 11 March
0900-1400 hours
The Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport, Manchester www.claytonhotels.com/manchester-airport

• Thursday 12 March
1000-1400 hours
Healing Manor Hotel, Grimsby, North Lincolnshire www.healingmanorhotel.co.uk

• Friday 13 March
1000-1400 hours
Billingsgate Fish Market and Training School, London
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/supporting-businesses/wholesale-markets/billingsgate-market

Endeavouring to ensure that incoming visiting companies have good opportunity to be able to engage with individual UK exporters to discuss trading links, Seafish are keen to schedule suitable meeting times for UK exporters at the various events.

Take a look here at the list of the various South Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Australian importers that will be visiting the UK – and the fish and shellfish species/formats that they are keen to source from the UK.
To register interest in attending any of the events – and the opportunity to meet with the various visiting seafood importers from Asia and Australia – please contact:
Andy Gray, Trade Engagement Manager, Seafish via andy.gray@seafish.co.uk or trade@seafish.co.uk

With a rise in the number of small businesses turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to operate day-to-day, the risk of cyber-crime continues to worry owners.

The latest small business report from Intuit QuickBooks revealed that more than two-thirds (68%) reported regular use of AI – which was up more than a quarter from 42% in July 2024. With an increase in those utilising all the digital tools at their disposal, comes the ever-present threat of online criminals.

A survey from commercial insurer NFU Mutual in 2025 found that threat was very much in the minds of small business owners. Two-thirds of those surveyed (67%) said they were concerned about cyber-attacks impacting their business, while nearly one in five called it one of the biggest threats to their businesses’ survival over the next five years.

The use of digital tools is a juggling act for small business owners, with the QuickBooks report showing that more than three-quarters said using AI made them more productive. However, AI use can increase digital risks, and NFU Mutual’s research found that nearly one in three of all small business owners surveyed said they had experienced a cyber attack or data breach, with half of these taking place within the past 12 months.

James Trevis, NFU Mutual’s cyber specialist, said: “Small businesses are increasingly reliant on digital tools and clearly AI is becoming part of everyday business for many.

“Given their size, many often lack the resources to effectively defend against cyber-crime, thus making them prime targets. While risk cannot be eliminated, it can be mitigated through positive action.

“This should include good cyber security hygiene – including two-factor authentication on critical applications – but also planning for the worst. Cyber insurance is a cost-effective measure to support response and recovery from an incident and many policies are full of preventative solutions and support for small customers.

“Taking action on the risk of cyber is not a luxury, for many small businesses it’s essential for protection.”

Commercial insurer NFU Mutual has highlighted the following digital technology that would be at risk for small businesses:

• The use of computers and software including email and other applications to communicate with customers, order materials and sell products
• Servers or digital storage facilities to hold customer and employee data
• A website to promote your business and sell products
• The use of online banking to transfer funds, purchase suppliers and receive payment from customers
• Internet connected devices – such as office computer networks, CCTV and lighting.

To help protect your small businesses, NFU Mutual recommends the following 10 steps:

1. Install a firewall and anti-virus software on all company devices and keep them updated
2. Use strong passwords – but crucially don’t use the same log in details or passwords across multiple accounts and services, always separate personal and business accounts
3. Implement Two Factor Authentication (Multifactor Authentication – MFA) – this is a simple method which requires two different methods to ‘prove’ your identity before you can use a service, generally a password plus one other method such as a text message or fingerprint
4. Ensure all software is up to date and kept updated on a regular basis
5. Back up your files and data weekly and store on a separate, secure device
6. Educate employees around cyber-crime, including how to spot potentially dangerous or fraudulent emails or websites
7. Make sure factory set passwords such as those on hardware like routers and other connected devices are changed periodically and equipment is set up with security in mind
8. Where appropriate, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when allowing employees access to company systems remotely. Ensure this too is protected by Two Step Verification
9. Don’t neglect physical security – ensuring all company devices are securely stored and locked away when not in use is just as important.
10. Have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP). This should outline the steps necessary to respond to a cyber incident and help speed up recovery. Crucially this should include a list of vendors (IT, Legal etc) you can call upon at short notice. A cyber insurance policy can provide access to these specialists and pay their costs.

 

At LogiMAT 2026, taking place at Messe Stuttgart from 24–26 March 2026, Movu Robotics, a member of the stow Group, will demonstrate how it is driving the large-scale transformation of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) toward 4-way pallet shuttle technology. From FMCG and Food & Beverage to cold storage operations and leading 3PLs, Movu continues to redefine high-density pallet automation across Europe and North America. Visitors can meet the team at Hall 3, Booth 3B77.

 

At the heart of Movu’s LogiMAT 2026 presence is Movu atlas, its flagship 4-way pallet shuttle solution. Designed for maximum storage density, high throughput, and long-term scalability, Movu atlas is increasingly becoming the reference architecture for modern pallet ASRS. With close to 200 Movu atlas deployed or underway, Movu is the first automation provider to successfully break through at scale, proving the maturity, robustness, and industrial readiness of this technology.

 

Driving the ASRS transformation at scale

 

The logistics industry is undergoing a structural shift away from traditional crane-based pallet ASRS toward more flexible, modular, and resilient solutions. Movu Robotics is at the forefront of this evolution, enabling customers to future-proof their warehouses through 4-way pallet shuttle systems that scale horizontally and vertically, adapt to fluctuating demand, and optimize total cost of ownership.

 

Movu atlas supports deep-lane, high-density pallet storage with shuttles capable of handling standard pallet formats at high speed and precision. The system is engineered for demanding industrial environments, operating reliably in ambient and cold storage conditions down to –25°C, and supporting high-throughput operations with multiple shuttles per level and high-speed vertical lifts. Its modular architecture allows customers to expand capacity and throughput incrementally by adding shuttles, lanes or lifts, without disrupting ongoing operations.

 

Proven across FMCG, Food & Beverage, Cold Storage and 3PL

 

Movu atlas is already delivering measurable value across a wide range of industries. Reference installations include Clarebout Potatoes (Simplot) and Westhof Bio in the (frozen) food sector and third-party logistics operations for GXO and UPS Healthcare. These projects highlight how Movu atlas adapts to different throughput profiles, storage strategies and operational constraints while maintaining consistent performance and system availability.

 

At LogiMAT 2026, visitors will be able to explore concrete reference cases, gain deeper insight into specific Movu atlas use cases, and discuss application scenarios directly with Movu experts, from system design to operational optimization.

 

One integrated solution: robotics, software, and racking

 

A key differentiator highlighted at the show is Movu’s fully integrated approach. Movu combines robotics, intelligent software, and structural racking into a single, high-performance sub-system, entirely sourced from the stow Group’s European and North American supply chain. This “one-stop shop” approach ensures optimal system performance, seamless integration, and reduced project risk for both end customers and system integrator partners.

 

All Movu atlas systems are controlled by Movu’s proprietary warehouse execution software, ensuring intelligent shuttle orchestration, real-time system visibility, and smooth integration with higher-level warehouse management systems. By engineering and delivering the full automation stack in-house, Movu guarantees reliability, scalability, and long-term serviceability.

“4-way pallet shuttle technology has moved beyond innovation into industrial reality,” says Christophe Coulongeat, CEO of Movu Robotics. “With nearly 200 systems in the market, Movu atlas is setting the standard for scalable, high-density pallet automation across Europe and North America.”

 

Stefan Pieters, CTO of Movu Robotics, adds: “Our focus has always been on delivering performance at scale. Movu atlas is engineered to combine speed, density, performance and reliability in a modular architecture that evolves with our customers’ needs, whether in FMCG, Food & Beverage, cold storage or 3PL operations.”

 

According to Noë van Bergen, CSO of Movu Robotics, “Customers want disruptive yet proven innovations, not just experiments. By mastering our full supply chain – robots, software, and racking- Movu Robotics ensures the success that our customers and integration partners experience with Movu atlas systems.”

Proven performance for customers and integrators

 

With nearly 200 4-way pallet shuttle systems in the market, Movu Robotics has moved beyond pilot projects into true industrial deployment. This extensive installed base provides customers and integrators with proven performance, repeatable system designs, and accelerated project execution, a critical advantage in today’s fast-moving logistics landscape.

 

At LogiMAT 2026, visitors will discover how Movu atlas enables warehouse operators to transition confidently toward next-generation pallet ASRS, combining density, speed, and scalability while maintaining operational resilience.

 

Birds Eye is bringing big flavour to the frozen aisle with the launch of its new Chicken Marinades range “Editions”: a premium line of succulent, boneless chicken thighs infused with rich, globally inspired marinades. The range includes three standout flavours: Asian-Inspired Teriyaki, Memphis Style BBQ, Zesty Lemon & Herb.

The launch targets a major untapped opportunity: over two million UK shoppers aged 34-55 purchase from the frozen aisle but don’t currently buy frozen poultry.1 By introducing more premium and exciting meal options to the frozen poultry cabinet, Birds Eye aims to reenergise the category and encourage shoppers to reappraise what frozen chicken can deliver.

Crafted using high quality, boneless chicken thigh fillets, each variant is marinated twice for maximum flavour and melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. Easy to cook, whether in the oven, air fryer, or even on the BBQ, the range lends itself to a variety of dishes from rice bowls to noodles, wraps to salads and much more.

Claire Sutton, Marketing Director at Birds Eye, commented: “We know there is a sizeable group of shoppers who enjoy the convenience of frozen food but are looking outside the frozen aisle when choosing meat. Our new Chicken Marinades range delivers on flavour, quality and versatility, giving shoppers a reason to stop, take notice and add something new to their basket. The range offers a midweek solution that feels elevated without compromising on ease. It’s an important step in broadening the appeal of the frozen category and ensuring Birds Eye continues to innovate in ways that are relevant to today’s shoppers.”

Asian Inspired, Teriyaki Chicken, and Memphis Style BBQ Chicken SKUs will be available in Tesco from 22nd February. The full range will be available in Sainsbury’s and Asda from March.