Food retailers warn MPs on risks of no-deal Brexit
Major stores issue red flag over maintaining choice, quality and durability of supplies
Jonathan Eley 48 MINUTES AGO
A no-deal Brexit would quickly trigger a jump in food prices and a reduction in choice of products, British retailers have warned in the latest plea by big business against leaving the EU without an agreement.
A letter from bosses of some of the country’s leading retail chains to MPs urged parliament “to find a solution that avoids the shock of a no deal Brexit on March 29”.
“While we have been working closely with our suppliers on contingency plans, it is not possible to mitigate all the risks to our supply chains and we fear significant disruption in the short term as a result if there is no Brexit deal,” said the executives, who included the bosses of J Sainsbury, Asda, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Lidl, along with convenience chains Costcutter and the Co-op.
The letter, co-ordinated by the British Retail Consortium, said they anticipated “significant risks to maintaining the choice, quality and durability of food that our customers have come to expect in our stores,” adding: “There will be inevitable pressure on food prices from higher transport costs, currency devaluation and tariffs.”
Food retailers warn MPs on risks of no-deal Brexit | Financial Times
A lot of our food comes from the EU:
No-deal Brexit 'to leave shelves empty' warn retailers - BBC News
In the week after the 2016 referendum, the Food Programme on Radio 4 looked at the issues:
BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, Brexit and Food: A Food Programme Special
The latest edition returned to the issues:
What does a no-deal Brexit mean for our food?
The Food Programme
With just over 60 days before we're set to leave the EU Dan Saladino gathers thoughts along the food supply chain, from farmers and retailers to exporters and so called "preppers", on the prospects of a no deal Brexit.
The likes of the British Retail Consortium, which represents the major supermarkets, and the Food and Drink Federation, which speaks on behalf of the biggest processors and producers in the UK have voiced their concerns that a "no deal" and more disruptive Brexit could mean significant delays importing food into the UK. For this reason their members have been stockpiling supplies to prevent disruption for customers.
However, as farmer Guy Watson explains, we are entering the so called hungry gap, meaning that by March 29th we'll be supplying very little of our own fruit and veg. Businesses such as his, the Riverford box scheme, will instead be depending on fresh produce brought in from Italy and Spain. He believes more than four days of disruption could wipe out his profits, and two weeks of delays could bankrupt the business.
Meanwhile other members of the farming community believe we should stay focused on the idea that food benefits will come from Brexit, whilst others are convinced trading under World Trade Organisation terms will provide us with plenty of new options for imports.
Dan travels along the supply chain to hear a range of different views on what the next few weeks might hold as farmers, food producers and retailers wait for the stalemate in Westminster to end.
BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, What does a no-deal Brexit mean for our food?
.
.
.
With just over 60 days before we're set to leave the EU Dan Saladino gathers thoughts along the food supply chain, from farmers and retailers to exporters and so called "preppers", on the prospects of a no deal Brexit.
The likes of the British Retail Consortium, which represents the major supermarkets, and the Food and Drink Federation, which speaks on behalf of the biggest processors and producers in the UK have voiced their concerns that a "no deal" and more disruptive Brexit could mean significant delays importing food into the UK. For this reason their members have been stockpiling supplies to prevent disruption for customers.
However, as farmer Guy Watson explains, we are entering the so called hungry gap, meaning that by March 29th we'll be supplying very little of our own fruit and veg. Businesses such as his, the Riverford box scheme, will instead be depending on fresh produce brought in from Italy and Spain. He believes more than four days of disruption could wipe out his profits, and two weeks of delays could bankrupt the business.
Meanwhile other members of the farming community believe we should stay focused on the idea that food benefits will come from Brexit, whilst others are convinced trading under World Trade Organisation terms will provide us with plenty of new options for imports.
Dan travels along the supply chain to hear a range of different views on what the next few weeks might hold as farmers, food producers and retailers wait for the stalemate in Westminster to end.
BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, What does a no-deal Brexit mean for our food?
.
.
.
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