To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that a no-deal Brexit could have on the UK's food supplies.
Answered on
6 March 2019
As a responsible Government, we are preparing for all eventualities including that of leaving the EU without a deal. Extensive work to prepare for a no deal scenario has been under way for the last two years to ensure the country continues to operate as smoothly as possible from the day we leave.
The UK has a high degree of food security, built on access to a range of sources including strong domestic production and imports from other countries. This will continue to be the case whether we leave the EU with or without a deal.
The Government has well established ways of working with the food industry on food supply chain issues. This includes working with Defra’s long established Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group, which allows Government and industry to work together to plan for and respond to any food supply disruption.
This industry group’s membership is drawn from across the agri-food chain sector and includes other relevant Government departments, devolved administrations and agencies. Defra will continue to work closely with food industry stakeholders on the potential impacts of a no deal scenario on the food and drink industry, as well as the contingency planning measures being taken by industry.