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How Brexit might affect your favourite chocolate bar

The UK's decision to leave the EU could affect British chocolates being sold in Ireland. The labe...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.12 2 Nov 2016


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How Brexit might affect your f...

How Brexit might affect your favourite chocolate bar

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.12 2 Nov 2016


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The UK's decision to leave the EU could affect British chocolates being sold in Ireland.

The labeling of British-style milk chocolate as 'chocolate' was actually the subject of a 30-year dispute between the UK and its European neighbours - this disagreement was eventually settled by a court ruling in 2003.

European firms had argued that some British companies should be required to call their products "vegelate" or a "chocolate substitute" as they contain vegetable oil, instead of pure coca butter. The ruling allowed UK producers to continue to call their bars 'chocolate.'

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However, former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned that the old wound could soon be reopened after Britain triggers Article 50.

"The chocolate purists, I guarantee, will quite quickly start fiddling with the definition of chocolate to make it much more difficult for British exporters to export elsewhere in Europe," the politician stated.

"By having a single definition of chocolate it meant our chocolate manufacturers in York, the Midlands and elsewhere could sell chocolate to sweet shops in Spain, Greece and Finland just as effortlessly as they can in the UK," he continued, according to Bloomberg.

The BBC has also explored the possibility that the recipes for some of Ireland's favourite chocolate bars could change when British producers are free from EU rules.

Mr Clegg warned of the disruption that Brexit could cause for British exporters:

"Food and drink products are currently traded across borders with no forms or checks, once we leave the EU, products will have to go through customs checks at the EU border which include applying for relevant import licences, costly export health certificates to show that the product meets EU public health standards, and veterinary inspections."


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