UK would run out of food a year from now with no-deal Brexit, NFU warns

[K1052]

Britain would run out of food on this date next year if it cannot continue to easily import from the EU and elsewhere after Brexit, the National Farmers’ Union has warned.

Minette Batters, the NFU president, urged the government to put food security at the top of the political agenda after the prospect of a no-deal Brexit was talked up this week.

“The UK farming sector has the potential to be one of the most impacted sectors from a bad Brexit – a frictionless free trade deal with the EU and access to a reliable and competent workforce for farm businesses is critical to the future of the sector,” she said.

In a statement issued by the NFU, Batters expressed concern that Britain would not be able to meet its food needs if Brexit was mismanaged.

Research showed 7 August 2019 would be the nominal day that Britain would run out of food if it were asked to be wholly self-sufficient based on seasonal growth, the NFU said.

The temperatures of the past few weeks have put Britain’s food production capabilities into sharp focus and underlined concerns.

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...of-food-no-deal-brexit-national-farmers-union

This is...something. Prognostications of doom from Brexit haven't been in short supply but a legitimate warning of possible starvation seems to ratchet the consequences up to an insane level.

 

[vi edit]

So instead of thoughts and prayers I'm supposed to send Fish and Chips?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

They’ll just import food at a higher price than now. They’ll be fine.

 

[IronWing]

Given what the Brits do to the food in the kitchen, cutting them off seems only decent.

 

[UNCjigga]

Ireland has agreed to send over crates of rotten potatoes, with a note saying "this was all you left us with during the Great Famine--we're returning the favor."

 

[K1052]

Given what the Brits do to the food in the kitchen, cutting them off seems only decent.

It is amazing how they can practically hit France with a rock yet still, after so many centuries, suffer such a deficit of culinary capability.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

It is amazing how they can practically hit France with a rock yet still, after so many centuries, suffer such a deficit of culinary capability.

They're getting Indian cuisine down though.

What I think is likely to happen is once Brexit happens there will be nations willing to change policies so they still have a nation to deal with. I suspect there will be a gradual normalization of relations and trade to a large extent because they are a large potential market.

 

[whm1974]

Didn't the UK managed to feed themselves during WWII with importing any food?

 

[K1052]

They're getting Indian cuisine down though.

What I think is likely to happen is once Brexit happens there will be nations willing to change policies so they still have a nation to deal with. I suspect there will be a gradual normalization of relations and trade to a large extent because they are a large potential market.

Eventually yes but it could easily take years for new trade deals to get put into place. Also there is the customs issue which the country doesn't appear remotely prepared to handle.

 

[dainthomas]

Didn't the UK managed to feed themselves during WWII with importing any food?

They got food via lend-lease.

 

[Moonbeam]

My experience, having lived in London many years ago and vacationing there rather recently, the change in the quality and variety of food available at all levels of dining has undergone enormous improvements. They are into food now at the highest levels. Of course, that is my opinion and experience, affected, also, no doubt to a degree, by vastly different sized budgets.

 

[IronWing]

My experience, having lived in London many years ago and vacationing there rather recently, the change in the quality and variety of food available at all levels of dining has undergone enormous improvements. They are into food now at the highest levels. Of course, that is my opinion and experience, affected, also, no doubt to a degree, by vastly different sized budgets.

Don't be challenging stereotypes; we're comfortable with what we have.

 

[Moonbeam]

Don't be challenging stereotypes; we're comfortable with what we have.

You of all people should know the joys of being odd.

 

[mikeymikec]

They’ll just import food at a higher price than now. They’ll be fine.

It's not as simple as that. Anything we import from the EU currently walks straight through customs, very little red tape. Suddenly that's all going to need checking. Of course interesting things will also happen with higher food prices squeezing wages that have not been rising much since the recession, and the amount of people who live from paycheck to paycheck.

Didn't the UK managed to feed themselves during WWII with importing any food?

rationing too.

Eventually yes but it could easily take years for new trade deals to get put into place. Also there is the customs issue which the country doesn't appear remotely prepared to handle.

My wife was reading something the other day about countries such as Germany has already started employing about 900 more people purely to do with more customs work, whereas the UK allegedly hasn't bothered doing anything yet, because staring facts in the face is PROJECT FEAR.

 

[brycejones]

They’ll just import food at a higher price than now. They’ll be fine.

Paying more for food is what Brexit voters wanted. So much winning!

 

[Indus]

So instead of thoughts and prayers I'm supposed to send Fish and Chips?

Nah.. that was 1500's.. in the 2000's its Chicken Tikka Masala.

They eat it as much as we Americans eat Pizza.

 

[JSt0rm]

Why are they continuing down this path? Its clear the russian's sowed dissent among the dumb rural people to fuck up Britain.

 

[Triloby]

Nah.. that was 1500's.. in the 2000's its Chicken Tikka Masala.

They eat it as much as we Americans eat Pizza.

Chicken Tikka Masala is actually pretty damn good, assuming it's cooked properly.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Well that's one way to get rid of the immigrants.

 

[Ajay]

Paying more for food is what Brexit voters wanted. So much winning!

I wonder if Brexit voters are having second thoughts with these sort of problems looming.

 

[Atreus21]

My experience, having lived in London many years ago and vacationing there rather recently, the change in the quality and variety of food available at all levels of dining has undergone enormous improvements. They are into food now at the highest levels. Of course, that is my opinion and experience, affected, also, no doubt to a degree, by vastly different sized budgets.

I spent about 3 months there in 1999 and my experiences were similar. Frankly I thought the food was fine. Nothing remarkable, but certainly not living up to that stereotype.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Nah.. that was 1500's.. in the 2000's its Chicken Tikka Masala.

They eat it as much as we Americans eat Pizza.

Tastes awesome by the way. Worth a try for those that are into Indian food (well, westernized indian food)

 

[UglyCasanova]

So does international trade no longer work? Not understanding why they aren’t able to import what they need..

 

[Greenman]

So does international trade no longer work? Not understanding why they aren’t able to import what they need..

This. The UK isn't going to starve to death.

 

[K1052]

So does international trade no longer work? Not understanding why they aren’t able to import what they need..

Uh...the trade is essentially domestic since the EU is an economic bloc. They're going to put up an international border where one hasn't really existed for decades. A customs nightmare of epic proportions for modern supply chains.

Also the UK has no trade deals with anyone.