French fishmongers have complained that supply chains which used to put British fish on European tables in just over a day have been shattered by local bureaucrats enforcing post-Brexit red tape.
Importers say French agents have adopted a zero-tolerance approach that has seen deliveries delayed because Latin names of fish species were incorrectly entered on papers and because sanitary certificates were missing stamps.
Both fishmongers and seafood factories are now suspending orders from Britain as deliveries of salmon and lobster that used to take just 24 hours to end up on French shelves are now being held up for two or three days - meaning they spoil in transit.