No shortage of fresh British food, say producers
WESTCOUNTRY farmers have sought to reassure shoppers that there will be plenty of fresh, seasonal British food available on the shelves as supplies of imported produce bound for the UK remain caught up in the border crisis.
It comes as France shut its border with the UK for 48 hours on Sunday night, amid fears of a fast-spreading new strain of coronavirus in London and the South East.
This has prompted huge queues in Kent, with much of the trade passing through the Channel ports consisting of perishable goods.
Talks between British and French officials were continuing yesterday in an effort to end the deadlock. Home Secretary, Priti Patel, suggested that lorry drivers could be mass tested at ports as part of the answer.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said it was currently “working hard to understand and help deal with any immediate implications” of the border restrictions for British farmers and growers, and how this may impact their businesses.
“We remain in close contact with our partners across the supply chain, where we are reassured that stores are well-stocked and there is plenty of fresh, seasonal British food available,” commented Philip Hambling, the NFU’s head of food and farming.
“It’s crucial this situation is resolved as soon as possible as there will be perishable produce expected to travel to and from the EU in the coming days.”
David George, from the NFU in the South West, added: “Regionally it hasn’t had too much of an impact yet, as most Christmas supplies have got to where they’re going already and lamb going into the EU is mainly from New Zealand at this time of year. If it turns out to be a 48-hour blip and they get some sort of protocol in place then we’ll be okay. If not, then there will be knock-on effects as supplies back up at processors.”
The National Sheep Association (NSA) said the ban on freight moving across the English Channel would affect a number of British processors and exporters who had planned for a last push to export lamb before the end of the year.
Phil Stocker, chief executive of the NSA, commented: “The closure of the French ports is really disappointing. The entire sheep sector has responded to calls to prepare for Brexit, and has been acutely aware of the probability of disruption to exports in the first weeks of 2021, but for the ‘cliff edge’ to have been brought forward by 10 days due to these Covid-related closures is unexpected and frustrating.”
With more than a third of British sheep meat exported, and 96% of it going to the EU, Mr Stocker said the situation shows the “importance of investing in our domestic market”. He added: “Whenever disruption occurs its our domestic market we rely on.”
Despite the uncertainty over exports, trade for lambs at the region’s livestock markets has held up, with auctioneers at Blackmoor Gate on Exmoor reporting a 100% clearance of the 1,566 sheep forward for their sale on Monday. “This was surprising with all of the disruption caused by the Dover and Calais port closures, which caused some uncertainty with the process and export of lamb to the Eurobloc,” they said.
Meanwhile, farm shops and local producers in the South West have
used the disruption at the borders to their advantage. According to recent research carried out by rural insurer, NFU Mutual, 40% of people plan to buy more direct from the farm gate this Christmas.
Veg box producers Terawhiti Farm, in South Milton near Kingsbridge, posted on Facebook earlier this week: “With France having shut its borders to the UK, supermarkets are now warning of fresh produce shortages such as cauliflowers .... The British winter caulifower season runs from October through to March, so still plenty of it about! Just buy British! And preferably local to your area.”
The Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, run by the Mounce family in Lifton, has also assured its customers that the shelves won’t be empty. It said on Facebook: “Closing the ports won’t affect us here at Strawberry Fields! Our shelves will stay fully stocked with the best local and home-produced produce.”
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme yesterday that there could be shortages in fresh produce after Christmas unless the border closure is lifted. “As long as it can be cleared today [Tuesday] there’ll be minimal impact for consumers – remember the shops are shut on Christmas Day which takes one day of buying out of the equation, but those lorries that are stuck in Kent, they do need to get back within the next day,” he said.