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PML (Perishable Movements Ltd) was founded by Parr in 2003 and the business was acquired by Seafrigo in July 2023, with Parr retained as a Director. In August 2024, Parr was appointed CEO of PML Seafrigo UK and Ireland, a role he officially leaves on 6^th January 2026.

Parr’s departure has triggered the appointment of Sean Smith as PML Seafrigo’s new CEO. Smith takes up the position with the UK’s leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider – part of the Seafrigo Group, whose cold chain logistics operations extend across 26 countries spanning five continents – effective from 1^st December 2025.

With an extensive background in logistics working with air, ocean and road freight, Smith also brings an impressive track record in the provision of strategic business advice to the role, servicing a range of clients seeking his proven expertise in identifying a roadmap designed to deliver against defined performance goals. 

Having formerly worked for a privately owned family business which was acquired by a global logistics operator, Smith is well placed to take over the stewardship of PML Seafrigo and continue its evolutionary growth within the Seafrigo Group.

Commenting on the changes, CEO of Seafrigo Group Eric Barbé says, “Mike is highly regarded within the industry having worked for over 33 years within the perishable freight sector during which he successfully grew PML to become one of the UK’s leading logistics companies with an enviable track record for innovation and customer relations excellence and an overarching commitment to delivering a quality service. We are grateful for Mike’s substantial contribution to both Seafrigo and the temperature-controlled logistics category in general. 

We are delighted to welcome Sean to the Seafrigo family and look forward to working with him to further grow our presence in the UK and globally.”

Commenting on his appointment, Smith said, “I was attracted to the significant potential that exists within PML Seafrigo and excited by the prospect of leading the company into the next chapter of its progression. PML Seafrigo already enjoys an enviable reputation for customer service excellence and a genuine superior quality service proposition.  My job will be to harness these – and other – key values and work with the team to establish a new blueprint for success in line with the vision shared by myself and Seafrigo Group.”

Smith will oversee a team of 115 permanent staff and will be based at PML Seafrigo’s Heathrow and Kent sites.

The post Parr’s Departure From PML Seafrigo Signals New CEO Appointment appeared first on PML.

Yesterday’s EU reset announcement makes a mockery of the last nine years. During this period, businesses in the supply chain associated with the fresh produce industry have put a huge amount of time, effort – not to mention significant financial investment – to establish appropriate protocols within the new Brexit trading landscape. 

Producers, logistics suppliers, industry stakeholders and government representatives attended countless meetings to work towards a solution which would allow a fair and seamless transfer of produce into and out of the UK. To say this has been a difficult road to travel is an understatement. The challenging number of U-turns, the persistent failure to listen to those working within the sector, the inability to meet deadlines, the constant whitewashing to suit each government’s agenda, I could go on. 

Many companies – including PML Seafrigo – have worked tirelessly to try and remain ahead of the curve and to be “Brexit fit”. In our case, we went as far as investing in a transport and logistics hub with remote HMRC / Defra approved Border Control Post status to enable a faster transit of consignments out of the Port of Dover. The site incorporated specialist inspection amenities for Defra personnel. We addressed the need for best-in-class facilities for drivers to match the fundamental services available to them in other European countries. We were at the front of the queue to apply for training to acquire Authorised Operator Status.

Just two weeks ago, discussions were held regarding the much-anticipated plant health border checks, due to commence 1^st July.  Baroness Hayman insisted there was to be no easement on the deadline and that the new required checks would be rolled out – this despite the issues the industry has repeatedly flagged concerning Sevington’s inability to cope with the required level of inspections. We also voiced our concerns regarding the absence of a definitive list of produce classified as Medium Risk, the lack of clarity regarding the Common User Charge and the unacceptably long evaluation of the pilot Authorised Operator scheme.

And now the Prime Minister has acted unilaterally to reset the rules. Without consulting the nation. Whatever your political persuasion, the fact remains that Brexit was the choice of the UK population, this maverick behaviour is inconsistent with the notion that Britain is a democracy.

We are now faced with the biggest U-turn of them all. And true to form, without any firm guidance to those affected most. There are no specific timings on when the new SPS protocol will start which will cause further bedlam at the border. In the absence of clear guidance, do we default to the original BTOM plans due to come into effect on 1^st July or are we able to kickstart the Authorised Operator Status scheme? Is the government planning to rollout official inspections throughout a 24/7 window? No thought has been given to the negative impact of inspection checks for non-EU fresh produce, which as Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive at the FPC correctly states accounts for 50% of fresh produce imports. These are countries that have stood by the UK during what can only be described as highly turbulent times. We’ve forged excellent working relationships with non-EU suppliers to maintain the year-round supply of produce. How can it be fair to now penalise those that have helped us simply because the government has failed miserably in its attempt to deliver on a cohesive border strategy? And has the government given any thought as to how businesses might be reimbursed for all the time and money spent on working towards the original Brexit plan?

The consumer will be oblivious to all the preparations made by those in the supply chain following the EU exit,  to ensure compliance with the government’s instructions. They may be about to find out with the chaos that is about to ensue. 

I truly despair as to what the future holds.

The post EU RESET: The Biggest U-Turn To Date appeared first on PML.

Mike Parr:

This week’s [6 May] parliamentary session with Baroness Hayman, regarding the industry’s questions in relation to the proposed introduction of plant health border checks for fresh produce and plants was incredibly disappointing. It represented yet another painful example of the government’s failure to understand the critical issues that we face – and seemed to turn a blind eye to the imperative for urgent responses to questions that have been raised.

Throughout the meeting it was evident that despite the upcoming 1 July deadline for the commencement of the required checks, those involved in the logistics concerning the transfer of imported fresh produce have not been provided with any further reassurances or clarity ref key concerns that have been raised on numerous occasions, over the last five months.

Amongst the most important topics which we’d hoped would be discussed were the lack of preparedness at Sevington to deal with the checks; the effective creation of a monopoly at the government border control point which operates on a 24-hour working day, whilst only offering checks at remote HMRC / Defra approved border control posts between 9-5 (which is inconsistent with the needs associated with the time sensitive transfer of food and plant produce); the failure to provide a definitive list of fruits and vegetables deemed to be within the Medium Risk A&B categories which will be subject to the checks; the fact that Common User Charge fees for 2025/26 remain unconfirmed and the ongoing “evaluation” of the Approved Operator Status scheme which companies such as PML Seafrigo invested in as far back as 2023.

Despite the industry, under the leadership of FPC’s Chief Executive Nigel Jenney, regularly advising the government regarding the best way forward and providing viable solutions, here we are less than eight weeks away, still in precisely the same position we were in at the end of December, when the original 1^st January deadline was extended. The repeated mentions that the industry is not ready implies that we are not taking on board the recommendations. Far from it, as a sector we’ve been incredibly agile in our feedback on the proposed checks, repeatedly putting forward well thought out options to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. 

It is the government that is not ready. It is the government that will not listen to the people working at the coalface. It will be the government that is the direct cause of the likely catastrophic hike in food prices based on the lack of availability of essential fresh produce goods.

We need customers to join us in making our voice heard. We need the public to rally against the government’s inertia and constant stalling tactics, especially with regard to the rollout of the Approved Operator Status scheme.

Allow the industry to help fix the problems. Time is running out. We need action NOW.

– Mike Parr, PML Seafrigo CEO

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Below is Mike’s full interview with Fred Searle, editor of the Fresh Produce Journal (FPJ).

How big an impact do you expect Defra’s proposed changes to plant health fees to have on fresh produce importers in the UK?

Mike Parr (MP): I think it will put a lot of them out of business because it is not viable for them to pay these additional charges. Ultimately, it may simply not be possible to import goods anymore.

How have the Safety & Security (S&S) declarations affected hauliers since coming into force at the end of January?

MP: This is, yet again, just another cost and another delay that seems to have become a regular occurrence for anyone working in the sector. The UK has become a country associated with red tape, and hauliers from abroad don’t want to operate here. We have become the country that nobody really wants to supply anymore. I’m hearing it more and more: “Why do we bother with the UK? There’s too much cost.”

What is the latest situation with delays to importing seeds and young plants from the EU?

MP: A recent episode of Countryfile on the BBC focused on this issue in a report on additional border controls post-Brexit. Rob James, technical director at Thanet Earth, drew attention to the sector’s reliance on imported plants and seeds and the concerns regarding breaks in the biosecurity chain at a border control point. This can cause a virus to transfer to a crop with devasting effects.

The protracted delays at the ports on goods such as seeds – which cost more than gold by weight – and the impact of late planting can be disastrous. They can mean that growers fail to meet their contracts to supply retailers.

We are also aware of the damage that can be inflicted on goods when they are unloaded at Sevington and not handled with the care required for these delicate consignments. When food or plants are damaged and reloaded onto a truck, who is held accountable?

The Netherlands is one of the UK’s biggest suppliers of seeds and young plants, but a representative from the Dutch Transport Association (TLN) has commented that the waiting time at the UK border is around four hours and can easily go up to 10-20 hours. The representative of TLN advised that every inspection its members had attended in the second half of last year was delayed. Many transporters have simply stopped driving to the UK.

What preparations are being made by logistics firms and fresh produce suppliers for the introduction of physical checks and fees on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imports from the EU, due to come in on 1 July?

MP: It is impossible to prepare when there are so many government U-turns. The pattern to date is that we spend a load of money preparing, only for the government to change their mind without consultation.

How have you seen fruit and vegetable importers and exporters adapt their trade routes to navigate the delays and added complications in logistics caused by Brexit?

MP: A lot of importers and exporters are travelling via the Hook of Holland to avoid the nightmare at Calais. Many flowers are coming over by boat, steering clear of Dover and travelling from Rotterdam to Immingham.

It is also worth mentioning that there is a growing illegal trade where meat that should be checked at Sevington never arrives at the government’s border control destination 22 miles from Dover. Instead, lorries make illegal drop-offs after leaving Dover. Some of this meat could be illegal or banned goods. The Port of Dover reported that it seized 10 tonnes of illegal meat via spot checks in the first week of 2025, compared with 400kg in the first week of 2023. Similar illegal activity is likely to occur with other fresh produce.

What are your most pressing demands of the Labour government when it comes to supporting the UK’s fresh produce logistics sector?

MP: Listen to us! This government is no different to the previous Conservative government and, if anything, worse. They should listen to key individuals, such as the FPC’s Nigel Jenney, who really know what they are talking about and are making a difference.

Generally speaking, how are fresh produce suppliers and hauliers adapting to all of the upheaval that Brexit and other global shocks have caused to trade?

MP: A lot are just finding different places to trade and identifying different markets, for example East European apples are being sent to India. Many hauliers and fresh produce suppliers have had to close down.

What are the other big challenges for fresh produce logistics firms at the moment?

MP: To name a few: finding staff; the cost of equipment has risen by 30 per cent; rent on premises has increased; rates have increased; and the Mayor of London is intent on expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Has the logistics industry made any recent progress in encouraging more young people to enter the sector?

MP: One of our biggest problems is trying to recruit. No one wants to enter the industry when all you get is added costs and abuse from customers, even though it is not your fault. Roles within technology are more appealing, but it is hard to get UK customs to accept new technology – unlike in the Netherlands.

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Review the PML Seafrigo Dayboard for live updates on your consignments.

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Mike Parr:

Last Thursday [6 March 2025] I attended a meeting set up by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) for industry members to discuss with Defra their thoughts on the proposed changes to plant health fees. Specifically, the meeting was designed to enable members to put forward their concerns regarding the impact these changes are likely to have on their business.

Defra’s argument for the increase in fees is that it has been five years since the fees were last refreshed (2019) and this would enable full cost recovery (I.E. the fee increase would cover all the costs associated with the rollout of the scheme including a portion of overhead costs).

The suggested increase is 27 per cent, which represents a significant hike in costs at a time when the industry is already reeling from so many other post-Brexit changes – not least the Common User Charge and monies spent to adapt systems and train staff to manage the required new protocols.

Whilst delegates requested evidence of Defra’s efficiencies to make this increase more palatable, the government line at this point was that limited data is currently available, but information would be released in the near-future.

That would be fine were it not for the fact that the consultation period ends in two weeks’ time, so how is it possible to make an informed response if the data is not forthcoming ahead of the consultation deadline?

This means effectively we are commenting on a matter blind, without the critical facts to hand. Is this really the government’s idea of “working with industry stakeholders”?

In the context of this discussion, a primary point for debate was also an update on the physical and ID inspection fees for European and Rest of World imported goods and how these would be handled.

In a room that was largely filled with importers, it was gratifying to see a unanimous vote in favour of the Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) as the most viable solution to the new required border control checks, which allows eligible trained traders to carry out their own physical and identify checks. Given the fact the PML Seafrigo invested in this training as far back as 2023, this would be welcome news.

The pilot for this initiative was due to run from June to December 2024, with post pilot evaluation scheduled between December 2024 and February 2025. Yet, during this time, PML Seafrigo has been unable to provide the service associated with Approved Operator status.

Early adopters of the scheme such as PML Seafrigo will have waited for over two years post training for the scheme to be rolled out which seems an excessively long period, given the evaluation of the pilot is only allocated three months?

Whilst the room voted a resounding yes to the AOS, the final decision will of course be with the ministerial team. Let’s just hope that this time around they do actually listen to those working at the coalface and that this is not yet another example of the government simply paying lip service.

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PML Seafrigo is thrilled to reveal that it has been selected again as the special Industry Partner and main sponsor for the world-renowned ICDA event. 

Taking place this summer at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire County Showground, ICDA is the world’s biggest platform to champion world-class producers of cheese and dairy products. The awards attracts over 5,500 entries every year. 

The team at PML Seafrigo is honoured to play an integral role once again in delivering many of the precious cheese entries from around the world via its seamless, secure, and speedy global logistics network.

Already, the cheese specialists at PML Seafrigo are preparing to bring numerous cheese entries safely and efficiently to Staffordshire in June. They are dedicated to ensuring these cheese entries arrive on time, intact, and at the right temperature ahead of their all-important judging.

The cheese logistics expert

PML Seafrigo enjoys a solid reputation as the relied-upon expert in cheese logistics. As part of the Seafrigo group, the company proudly provides specialist chilled transportation for every type of cheese by air, road, or ocean (FCL/LCL) anywhere in the world. 

This asset-heavy network enables complete control from origin to destination and, crucially, an unbroken cool chain all the way from the producer to the counter. This allows cheese suppliers, importers, and retailers extended product shelf-life, quality, and customer satisfaction.

PML Seafrigo also offers a long list of excellent services that add value to cheese deliveries; from storage, packing, and labelling, to quality control, and documentation management.

PML Seafrigo will sponsor and exhibit at ICDA 2025.

Due to popular demand, this year the event is extended to two days, and will unite cheese processors, suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and industry leaders for two days of insight, opportunity, and business growth.

The post PML Seafrigo selected as ICDA 2025 Industry Partner appeared first on PML.

PML Seafrigo is preparing its inaugural participation as an exhibitor at IFE – one of the largest food and drink events in the UK – on 17-19 March.

The three-day fair is expected to unite 1,500 global food and drink supply chain exhibitors and 30,000 decision makers under one roof at ExCel London.

Fresh Produce Section – Stand 3750

PML Seafrigo will exhibit on Stand 3750 in the Fresh Produce Section, hosted in partnership with the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC).

FPC’s Fresh Produce Hub successfully launched last year as a dedicated exhibition area to showcase the best the UK fresh produce industry has to offer, from its premium products to its world-class supply chain partners. There are 15 sections at IFE 2025 in total.

Building connections

PML Seafrigo will use the special opportunity of IFE 2025 to highlight the company’s longstanding position as the UK’s first choice logistics operator for exporting and importing fresh fruits and vegetables.

The team is looking forward to connecting face-to-face with customers new and old from across the international food and drink industry. The aim is to strengthen existing relationships and embark on new business opportunities within global perishable logistics. 

Likewise, PML Seafrigo is eager to expand its knowledge of this global F&B market to reinforce its expertise and position of leadership in the transportation of temperature-controlled goods into and out of the UK.

Organisers anticipate 30,000 visitors from over 100 countries to attend the trade fair in mid-March.

IFE 2025 features five co-located events IFE Manufacturing, IFE, The Pub Show, HRC, and International Salon Culinaire.

IFE is part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week.

The post PML Seafrigo books first-ever stand at IFE appeared first on PML.

We were delighted to welcome BBC Countryfile presenter and journalist Joe Crowley to our UK Inland Border Hub in Kent to discuss the £200 million impact that BTOM could have on farmers and our food for the TV programme’s 2 February 2025 episode.

After less than a year since the UK’s additional border checks came into force following the UK’s exit from the EU, the system has been billed as “not fit for purpose”. 

On many occasions PML Seafrigo CEO Mike Parr has voiced his opinion and concerns to the media and government, particularly the UK’s ability to remain an attractive market for EU suppliers.

To help shed light on the situation, Mike and Joe were joined at PML Seafrigo’s Kent hub by Nigel Jenney, CEO of Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), and John Davidson, Finance Director at Tom Brown Wholesale Florist.

Together they discussed one of the largest concerns – the significant financial impact on businesses of CUC fees, added to the cost of delays and damage to goods – and the resulting impact on fresh produce availability and prices in the UK.

Countryfile also visited the Port of Harwich and the Port of Dover to investigate the journey and inspection of goods entering the UK via the government’s inland inspection facility at Sevington.

Watch the episode – titled Welney Wetland Centre, 2 February 2025 – on BBC iPlayer here.

Fast-forward 20 minutes into the episode for the segment about UK border controls.

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