BRC condemns Michael Gove's 'categorically untrue' Brexit/fresh food claims

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has hit out at Michael Gove after he claimed on The Andrew Marr Show that a No Deal Brexit wouldn't result in any food shortages.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also stated that some food prices would increase in the event of withdrawal from the EU without an agreement with Brussels. Others, however, would come down.

“The retail industry has been crystal clear in its communications with government over the past 36 months that the availability of fresh foods will be impacted as a result of checks and delays at the border. Indeed, the government’s own assessments showed that the flow of goods through the channel crossings could be reduced by 40-60% from day one, as would the “availability and choice” of some foods,” a BRC spokesperson said.

“Our own assessment has shown that soft fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, tomatoes and lettuces, would likely see reduced availability as they are largely imported during the winter months,” they added.

Retailers are working with their suppliers to maintain stocks of non-perishable goods and plan ahead for any disruption caused by a no deal Brexit, but it is impossible to mitigate it fully as neither they nor consumers can stockpile fresh foods. A no deal Brexit in October would present the worst of all worlds for UK High Streets and those who shop there, the spokesperson claimed.

“Retailers will be preparing for Christmas, stretching already limited warehousing capacity, and the UK will be importing the majority of its fresh food from the EU, magnifying the impact of border delays,” they concluded.