Britain facing ‘biggest food crisis since World War II’ as Brexit, Covid-19 create challenges
- Food imports from the EU into the UK face disruption in January due to new Brexit border checks
- Low income groups could be ‘disproportionately affected by any price rises in food’, leaked report says
Britain could be facing the biggest shock to its food supply system in 75 years, experts warn, as crisis talks for a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union hang in the balance.
Even if Johnson strikes a last-minute agreement, it could be too late to stop food prices soaring and prevent shortages of fresh produce, much of which is imported from Europe, industry and food policy experts say.
“In terms of the possible precarity of supply lines and keeping everyone food secure in Britain, it hasn’t been this bad since the Second World War,” said Christian Reynolds, a senior lecturer at the City, University of London’s Food Policy Unit.
The UK has just days to break the impasse with the other 26 members states. Among sticking points are the rights of European fleets to fish in UK waters.
The prospect of food shortages comes amid the country’s worst recession in 300 years, exacerbated by the economic fallout from Covid-19 pandemic.