Bacon producer Finnebrogue urges Liam Fox to fry export regulations on ‘bonfire of red tape’

The head of one of Britain’s main sausage and bacon makers has called on the government to boost exports by cutting back cumbersome regulations.

Denis Lynn said he is still waiting for approval to export Finnebrogue’s new nitrate-free bacon, six months after applying to the Food Standards Agency.

He said a “bonfire of red tape” would help international trade secretary Liam Fox reach his goal of making Britain an exporting superpower.

“We are having to turn away major new customers overseas – and in doing so, our growth is being stunted, our tax contributions to the exchequer are lower than they otherwise would be – and the rate at which we are adding to our 400-strong staff has slowed,” Lynn said in a letter to Liam Fox.

“I am frustrated that excessive bureaucracy is holding us back – and I am concerned that we will not be alone in our experience.

“There are innovators and disruptors up and down the United Kingdom making some extraordinary things that would sell on the world market, but they are being restricted by red tape and excessive box ticking.”

Finnebrogue is seeking permission to export its new Naked Bacon, a product made without cancer-causing nitrate chemicals.

Although it is already on sale in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and M&S, Finnebrogue said it is not allowed to export its bacon until its paperwork is processed.

Neil Parish MP, who chairs the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee, said: “Making bacon without nitrites – and reducing the risk in the famous full English breakfast – is a remarkable feat of food technology and a brilliant British success story. Finnebrogue are leading the way in producing some of the best food anywhere in the world.”

Morning Wire has approached the Department for International Trade for comment.