No-deal may mean food stockpiling is necessary

Essential supplies at risk if UK exits EU without a deal, ministers admit

Senior UK Government ministers have admitted stockpiling of survival essentials may be necessary if the UK leaves the European Union without first striking an exit deal.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab conceded backups of food may be required while Health Secretary Matt Hancock said officials are considering working with industry to stockpile drugs, medical devices and supplies.

During a session of the Commons Exiting the EU Committee Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake asked Mr Rabb, who was only appointed three weeks ago, if the government was preparing a no-deal white paper that would “cover all eventualities from compulsory purchase orders to create lorry parks or establishing emergency warehouses for medicines and food?”

Mr Raab said a no-deal Brexit was “certainly a real risk”, adding: “As the time for the deal approaches the only responsible thing for us to do is to make sure we’re ready for all eventualities.”

Pressed further, the Tory MP said: “It would be wrong to describe it as the government doing stockpiling.

“What we will make sure – and of course the idea that we only get food imports into this country from one continent is not appropriate – but we will look at this issue in the round and make sure that there is adequate food supply.”

Matt Hancock, who was appointed to his role two weeks ago, said that he was “confident” that a deal could be reached but said that it was “responsible” to prepare for a range of outcomes.

This includes working up options with industry to stockpile medical supplies if a deal cannot be reached, he told the Health Select Committee.

Mr Hancock said: “Since I have arrived in the department, I’ve asked this work to accelerate and I’ve met with industry leaders to discuss it.

“We are working right across government to ensure that the health sector and the industry are prepared and that people’s health will be safeguarded in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“This includes the chain of medical supplies, vaccines, medical devices, clinical consumables, blood products.

“And I have asked the department to work up options for stockpiling by industry. We are working with industry for the potential need for stockpiling in the event of a no-deal Brexit.”

Pictures: PA/Getty. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, left, gives evidence to the Commons Brexit Committee about progress of the negotiations. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said drugs stockpiling is being considered.