BFFF COLLABORATE WITH THE UK WASTE & RESOURCES ACTION PROGRAMME (WRAP)

Posted on September 1, 2020September 23, 2020 by Harry

The BFFF and WRAP have forged a new relationship, with the aim of working more collaboratively and focusing on two key areas of interest for our members: the ‘UK Plastics Pact’ and the ‘UK Food Waste Reduction Roadmap’. The BFFF are also working with WRAP’s ‘Consumer Behaviour Change and Intervention’ team to inform how, as a sector, we might help consumers to reduce household food waste by buying more frozen food.

Ian Bowles, Business Change & Collaboration Consultant, at WRAP commented: “WRAP are delighted to be working with such a progressive, and supportive, UK trade body. The BFFF are an official UK Food Waste Reduction (FWR) Roadmap supporter and many of its members have joined the over 200 large UK food business who have committed to the FWR Roadmap”.

Holly Jones, BFFF Technical Assistant, will be working closely with Ian to build up the relationship between BFFF and WRAP to allow for a more structured approach when promoting the benefits of frozen food. WRAP is also providing support for the Frozen Food Review which is being created by the Young Leaders Forum.

If any BFFF members would like information on how to sign up to the UK Plastics Pact or the UK FWR Roadmap, please contact Ian at WRAP directly ian.bowles@wrap.org.uk

XPO Logistics Marks 40th Year as Official Transport Partner of the Tour de France

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

XPO Logistics Marks 40th Year as Official Transport Partner of the Tour de France

Provides record number of drivers and trucks, with special safety protocols

On August 29, XPO Logistics will take to the roads of the Tour de France for the 40^th consecutive year as official transport partner. A team of 68 XPO drivers will pilot 52 trucks for 3,479 kilometres, moving over 420 tons of cargo along the course. When the Tour declares a winner in Paris on September 20, the company will have supported all 21 stages of the race.

XPO is responsible for ensuring that barriers, gates, course paint, furniture, audio-visual equipment and other supplies are transported from stage to stage according to complex requirements. In 2019, event organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) awarded XPO a contract extension through 2024, ensuring that the logistics leader’s distinctive white trucks will continue to be a familiar sight at Tour Villages and spectator areas.

This year, XPO’s support of the Tour is unique on several fronts. The race was rescheduled due to COVID-19, and XPO has worked closely with A.S.O. to implement health and safety protocols based on guidance from the French government and the Tour organisation. All drivers will be given safety training on race protocols and will be equipped with masks, sanitizing gel, disinfectants and a manual of safety procedures. A team of specially trained XPO staff and instructors will support the drivers at each stage.

In addition, for the first time, XPO will use two natural gas-powered trucks from its eco-friendly fleet for the final arrival at the Champs-Élysées finish line. The Euro 6 clean diesel trucks that XPO will deploy throughout the Tour, as well as the company’s use of alternative fuels, driver eco-training and organically sourced uniforms, will help A.S.O. lower the environmental impact of the event.

Luis Gomez, managing director, transport – Europe, XPO Logistics, said, “We’re thrilled to be marking four decades with the Tour de France. XPO’s support of A.S.O. is at a record level for this year’s race – we’ll have more trucks and drivers moving cargo more safely than ever before, with greener operations. Our service to the Tour is a source of pride for everyone at XPO.”

“In these demanding times, we have the best possible transport partner on our team,” said Jean-Luc Duplantier, logistic director of A.S.O. “XPO’s commitment to health and safety has been evident since the start of their planning process five months ago. Their solutions have risen to the challenge, and we are once again bringing the Tour de France to over ten million fans worldwide.”

Customs Clearance Consortium Recruiting Additional Staff as Transition Period Comes to an End

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Customs Clearance Consortium Recruiting Additional Staff as Transition Period Comes to an End

Working to deliver a range of Brexit solutions as we head towards the UK’s departure from the EU, the Customs Clearance Consortium (CCC) is creating an additional 50 jobs to support its 24-hour UK and EU customs operations.

Heading the CCC is Oakland Invicta Commercial Director, Robert Hardy, who over the last 7 years has helped develop the largest 24-hour customs clearance station in the UK. Robert is an advisor to HM Government on matters relating to Customs and Brexit, a registered expert with the EU Commission on matters relating to International Trade and a key member of the UK cross governmental policy groups including Border Delivery, Logistics Steering, NI Protocol and Future Borders Group.

The CCC was launched by supply chain specialists Oakland Invicta specifically to address the shortage of customs broker capacity. Their customs and border knowledge has seen the Consortium’s momentum accelerate as businesses try to get to grips with the new and exacting customs processes coming in to force on the 1st January 2021, once the UK has formerly left the EU.

Robert commented: “The Consortium is excited to be recruiting an additional 50 staff to support our 24-hour, 7-day-a-week shift operation and recognising that most trucks move at night, we’re setting staffing levels accordingly.”

All key staff will be trained to at least level IV of UK Customs Academy and supported through in-house border training, with CCC’s fully funded trainers supporting HMRC in Brexit readiness.

The CCC encompasses some of the biggest logistics operators in Europe and works with many of the largest house-hold brands in the market today, with Brexit set to generate an additional 200+ million customs declarations annually.

Helping with tariff clarification and validation, border processes and cross channel freight, through to customs regime assessment to deliver a smooth UK-EU-UK supply chain, candidates can find out more by visiting: www.mybrexit.uk

Added Robert: “Understanding Customs is one thing but understanding how to apply those processes on the ground is a skill that takes years to refine.

“These are exciting times and we look forward to welcoming new people to our strong, dynamic and growing team.”

Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK Committee on Climate Change, to open World Biogas Summit 2020

Posted on August 25, 2020January 9, 2026 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK Committee on Climate Change, to open World Biogas Summit 2020

The Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC), will provide the opening keynote address to the 2nd World Biogas Summit
Themed “There’s No Net Zero without Biogas!”, the World Biogas Summit will take place online from 6th until 8th October 2020.
The Summit will introduce a roadmap towards enabling the biogas industry to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 12% by 2030.

The World Biogas Summit 2020, a unique thought-leadership forum for the global anaerobic digestion and biogas industry, will open on 6th October with a keynote address by the Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK Committee on Climate Change.

Launched in 2019, hosted by the World Biogas Association (WBA) and supported by the UK’s Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the Summit provides the largest international platform on which to highlight the value of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas as solutions to the global challenges of organic waste management, food and energy security, as well as climate change – thus putting the industry at the heart of sustainable development around the world.

Taking place entirely online due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 event will see the launch of the latest WBA report Pathway to 2030, which sets out a roadmap for delivering the biogas industry’s potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 12% by 2030.
The Summit will also discuss how the industry can contribute to achieving Net Zero, help restore soil health and underpin city projects for low carbon urban development. Another crucial topic will be how to finance the growth of the AD and biogas sector to fulfill its huge potential.

David Newman, WBA President, said: “We are honoured to welcome Lord Deben to the World Biogas Summit 2020. In the build up to next year’s crucial COP26 in Glasgow, it will be particularly opportune to hear his insights into how the UK, as host nation, is addressing the climate emergency and taking a leadership role in meeting Paris Agreement targets. In 2020, our industry is presented with a unique opportunity, globally, to play its part not only in contributing to global decarbonisation, but also in supporting a green recovery from Covid-19. This year’s Summit will be remarkably relevant and timely ”

Charlotte Morton, ADBA Chief Executive, said: “Lord Deben has been a powerful voice on environmental issues in the UK for many years and especially on climate change. As one of the leading figures in the UK’s climate change agenda, he has been a guiding light in getting our industry to achieve the recognition that it deserves. Anaerobic digestion could deliver a 6% reduction in UK GHG emissions by 2030, and 12% globally, just by capturing and recycling through AD the organic wastes we humans produce, in the process creating 30,000 green jobs in the UK and 12-15 million worldwide. The Summit will explore how our sector can make its vital contribution to Net Zero and unlock its growth potential.”

This event is free-to-attend, registration is open now.

View the World Biogas Summit 2020 programme here.

DAWN’S NEW CHRISTMAS STAR DONUT SHINES BRIGHT!

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

DAWN’S NEW CHRISTMAS STAR DONUT SHINES BRIGHT!

To make Christmas even more special this year, Dawn Foods has gone bigger and brighter with the launch of a bumper 83g star shaped, red iced and filled donut.
Made with Dawn’s quality dough, these seasonal Star Donuts are filled with a tasty crème patisserie custard style filling, which makes for a delicious and satisfying eat. The natural red glaze icing and tiny star sprinkles gives added texture and ‘pick me up’ appeal.
Supplied finished frozen for thaw and serve, Dawn’s Christmas Star Donuts, are an easy way for bakers and caterers to introduce festive products without the time and skill required for making from scratch. And as only enough donuts are defrosted as required, wastage is kept to a minimum. They have a 72-hour shelf life too.
For more information please visit www.dawnfoods.com

Brexit: The Government Trader Readiness Initiative

Posted on August 25, 2020January 9, 2026 by Harry

We have been made aware that the Government are embarking on a major initiative to ensure companies are well prepared for the end of the transition period. As all members are aware by now new rules and processes will be in place from 1/1/21 on any goods being imported or exported with the EU. Whilst many questions remain around what our trading relationship will be with the EU, there is a lot of preparation companies can do now to ensure they are as prepared for the change as possible.

HMRC will be contacting any company that have imports or exports with the EU over £250k per annum, this is the first stage of engagement to every trader they consider to be a High value trader (HVT). The plan is to then reach out to the over 11,000 companies to offer guidance and support from a range of Government departments. At the BFFF we are concerned at the capacity the Government departments have to cope with individual support for each trader, also that businesses under this turnover threshold will not have this support.

The BFFF Brexit guidance will be kept up to date to ensure we provide members with clear guidance and support as we approach what could be a difficult period. If any member considers they meet the HVT threshold but have not yet received communication from HMRC then please contact the BFFF and we will provide help.

A few reasons to become a member of BFFF

To find out more about becoming a member call 01400 283 095 or email the team

Join BFFF

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Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

BFFF energy deals and rates
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Company Shop – membership
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Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
Annual Lunch
Awards Night

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We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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