“The silence about the future of UK food since the Brexit referendum is an astonishing act of political irresponsibility and suggests chaos unless redressed,” the report, titled “A Food Brexit: Time to get real”, says.
Professors Tim Lang of City University, Erik Millstone of the University of Sussex, and Terry Marsden of the University of Cardiff authored the 88-page report, saying it is intended to fill the policy gap left by the government.
A third of Britain’s food currently comes from EU countries and the report says there appears to be no government strategy to deal with any shortfall if this supply is disrupted.
The report warns that the poorest are likely to be the hardest hit by Brexit, facing a diminished supply of healthy fruit and veg as prices rise due to Brexit.
Food prices could jump by up to a fifth if the UK drops out of the European Union with no trade deal, the report also warns.
Food prices in Britain are already rising in response to the collapse in the pound last year. Food producer output price inflation rose by 5.6% in May, up from just 1.5% at the end of 2016.
Justin King, the former CEO of supermarket Sainsbury’s, warned last week that Brexit will mean “higher prices, less choice, and poorer quality” at supermarkets and said consumers are “completely in the dark” about this. Monday’s report echoes King’s warning.
Read more at businessinsider.nl
