Food supplies post-Brexit
Today’s Telegraph and Guardian feature articles speculating there will be food shortages in the event of a no deal. Both articles reference supermarkets and food and drink businesses are beginning to consider contingency plans for this eventuality.
To be clear, the UK has an excellent level of food security which is built on access to a range of sources including strong domestic production and imports from third countries. This will continue to be the case as we leave the EU whether we leave with a deal or not.
However the Telegraph article incorrectly reports that the recent appointment of David Rutley MP is to oversee the protection of food supplies. Although the Minister’s portfolio does include responsibility for overseeing the department’s readiness for EU exit and the wider food chain, including the Industrial Strategy, he will also be responsible for climate change adaptation, animal welfare and forestry. We have shared the below line for inclusion in this story.
A Defra Spokesperson said:
“It is incorrect to say Minister Rutley has been appointed to Defra to handle food supply or security issues - the UK has a strong level of food security built upon a diverse range of sources of supply and will continue to be the case whether we leave the EU with or without a deal.
“Minister Rutley is taking on responsibilities previously held by other Ministers, primarily animal welfare and food and drink industrial strategy.”