Food sector fears 'worst-case' scenario Brexit will become reality from January with 40 per cent of trade grinding to a halt

[SupplyChainHusband]

The government’s ‘worst-case scenario’ predicted 40-70 per cent of trucks travelling to the EU may not be ready for new border controls, resulting in queues of up to 7,000 trucks on motorways across Kent.

Since the EU supplies the UK with 26 per cent of its total food and around 70-80 per cent of its fresh fruit and vegetables, the disruption could leave a significant shortfall in the nation's food supplies.

Around 70 per cent of tomatoes, 99 per cent of spinach, 71 per cent of cucumbers and 74 per cent of pears come from Europe, according to Defra figures.

More information in link: www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/183594/brexit-1.

@ScatteredMama82

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55151333

They added it was "vital that businesses and citizens make their final preparations too", and they were "intensifying our engagement... so they know exactly what they need to do to get ready."

What exactly are we citizens being told to do??

Well, obviously we're being told to make final preparations. For something. They aren't going to tell us what until Jan 2nd. Funny thing is, I don't recall being told to make initial preparations. How strange. All in favour of the engagement being intensified though

Oh I know, they were telling people telepathically to make preparations all along. Of course, that's why I haven't seen anything in the media. And now they're telling us telepathically to make final preparations. Now it all makes sense.
Wankers.

“Final preparations” really is a poor choice of words! It makes it sound fatal.
(Which hopefully it won’t be)

I hope it's fatal for the Tory party. Final Destination: Brexit

Sadly I just want it to be here now. I’m fed up with stressing over it. Worrying if I have enough food. Worrying if u have done enough. I’m going to do a big fresh food shop just before new year. Last ditch attempt at filling up my chest freezers then I have done all I can.

I don't know how I feel. Other than like a pp who wants a crystal ball so I know whether I have enough say raisins and don't need to buy sultanas because the country is going to be awash with them! Or whatever. At least in month or so I can start using it all up.

They are just setting everything up to blame the people when Brexit turns out to be a total shitshow. They never disappoint.

I'm heading out next week for a mega shop with today's news. I hope I'm not too late. I hope all the leavers will be sitting smug at home and won't have the temerity to admit they were wrong. I'd do it tomorrow but I cannot face Saturday supermarkets.

@Mxflamingnoravera. I am going just before the new year to buy as much fresh stuff as I can. My cupboard is full. My brexit freezer is full. I just need to fill up my normal chest freezer to the top. And I should be okay.

I’m still worried though.

As a matter of interest, does anyone have a Tesco slot for home delivery in January. Since matters have settled, I've been able to book 4 weeks ahead. Now nothing showing to book for January.

I don't use tesco. I have struggled to get a morrisons slot the week before the week before Christmas.

Nope. No slots at all after December

and after Christmas is not open either at Morrisons.

Same no online shopping slots for january. Last week january the 2nd was showing so i tried to book. The next day it said booking failed and since then nothing on system past end of december.
Its odd

I admire your preparations everyone, it reminds me of the preparation for the ‘millennium bug’ which those who are old enough may remember.
Let’s hope that the outcome is the same, i.e. with hindsight it was all fine.

Blackeyed Sainsburys have slots the week before the week before.

Thanks.

I really hope so November. I really hope so.

No worries, Kent Convoy are on it:

it reminds me of the preparation for the ‘millennium bug’

In what way?

The operative word there is "preparation". There's been a singular lack of preparation for Brexit.

There certainly hasn't been the same comprehensive level of work that went into removing the Millennium bug from code.

Maybe you've confused column-inches talking about the problem, with practical action to fix the problem?

January slots now available at tesco online food delivery

I read an article yesterday which said 50%-80% disruption, so I assume the "govt" have been massaging the figures downwards. Quelle surprise...

Thing is, prepping can be applied to any situation where there are potential shortages, so not just Brexit although it's understandable people have been Brexit-focused. We don't know whether there will be more lockdowns, or bad weather, so prepping still makes sense.

As far as I'm concerned it's way too early to even think it will all be 'fiiiiiiine' re Brexit repercussions.

Today's the day the Dover-Calais crossing will be back to usual traffic, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

What a delightful mix this is going to be with Bojos announcement of lockdown imminent. Pleased I'm prepped. I've managed to get my slot for this week and next week, but doesn't bode well for after that.
Best of luck, fellow preppers!