London / UK. (fdf) At the British Conservative Party Conference this week, Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, hold a remarkable speech in London. Please find below the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) response to the speech:
FDF Chief Executive Ian Wright CBE said: «It’s all very well for Dominic Raab to decry scaremongering on a «no-deal» Brexit, but just two months ago he was the one raising the possibility of stockpiling food and calling in the squaddies to help.
«The «lurid predictions» he mentions are from his own colleagues in DExEU. Their technical notices lay bare just how severe blockages at the ports would be for food coming in and out of our country. Indeed, the Government takes this so seriously that just last week it appointed a food supplies Minister. The last person to occupy such a position oversaw the end of rationing in 1954.
«We face grisly consequences if we do not secure a deal with the EU – it is not scaremongering, it is scary. We are already seeing food and drink prices rise in response to the threat of a «no-deal» Brexit as businesses begin to stockpile and hedge currency risk. The Government must act quickly if it is to protect the interest of shoppers and consumers, who have come to expect year-round availability of high-quality food and drink at all price points».
