Are We So Dependant On Eu Countries For Food Etc?

[Bobbisox1]

If there was a NO DEAL,surely we aren't so dependant to lean on the EU as a crutch? We have farms for fruit and other produce , I heard yesterday there could be water shortages, well I suppose that's what happens when water companies are bought by France and other overseas countries, I realise oil will be a massive problem which will effect our imports , but we managed before,so we will manage again

[jim360]

Nobody expects food to run out. But, according to the Yellowhammer scenario, it can be expected to become both more expensive (owing to tariff barriers in the wake of a No Deal exit) and less varied (as supermarkets try to avoid those barriers).

People seem determined to seize on the obvious exaggeration of the first idea to ignore the real risk of the second.

[jim360]

This also replies (again...) to A-h's point. No doubt trade will continue in similar volumes to before. But when it comes to relying on EU produce then their desire to preserve the integrity of the Single Market is bound to lead to new barriers placed on exports to and imports from the UK. If the UK responds with its own tariffs then everybody hurts as a result; and if the UK responds to a No Deal exit by removing all tariffs then they are obliged to do so for all our food exports, and if you'd been paying attention to what farmers have been saying then a zero-tariff environment will more or less ruin somewhere around half of them. Farming in the UK is hard enough as it is without destroying basically the only thing keeping them afloat currently.

[ABerrant]

In the event of a No-Deal Brexit we are being told by those that oppose such an outcome that the UK will have difficulties procuring food.

The same opposers also suggest that sheep farmers will need to cull 10 million lambs as they will not be marketable within the EU.

No food... too much meat... go figure!

[jim360]

If you could persuade the UK to switch to a lamb-based diet and eat for Europe then you'd have a point :/

[Old_Geezer]

I'd hardly call the second, a risk factor. So there may be a little less choice for a bit. We're privileged to have as much choice as we do.

[Old_Geezer]

Mmmm... lamb, drool, gurgle

[jim360]

Seems to be a bit of a Lord Farquaad approach to food supply, though:

"Some of you may not have the variety you want, and may have to pay a good deal more for your food, but it's a sacrifice I am willing to make."

[haras2]

"no food... too much meat... go figure"
Our welsh mountain lamb goes to Spain, Portugal and Greece because they like the smaller, leaner type.
I don't know where we're going to find a better market.
Suggestions welcome

[hc4361]

France is the biggest importer (around 50%) of Welsh lamb but overall 95% of Welsh lamb exports does go to EU countries.
We export around 100,000 tonnes and import around 100,000 from NZ and Australia. Not as daft as it sounds, it means we get fresh lamb all year.

[cassa333]

Doh:

Some people will forget or won’t have prepared so won’t have filled out the forms so there may be some disruption for a short while until they get their fingers out and fill in the forms.

Otherwise it will be business as usual.

[cassa333]

And by the way I went up to the Yorkshire Dales for a couple of hours today and all along the M1 and M25 are great big illuminated signs saying there may be changes to imports.

So not much excuse really.

[jno]

this site

https://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/challenge/uk-threat/

says UK imports more than half its food. That doesn't seem to tally with the NFU claims (which might be a teensy bit biased?), and I don't know which is correct.

Thee's no date on that, but post-2015.