Supermarket body hits back at ‘impractical’ food stockpiling suggestion in event of no-deal Brexit | City A.M.

The trade body acting for the UK’s major supermarkets has hit back at the government’s claim that food would need to be stockpiled in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which acts for the retail industry, criticised the suggestion by Brexit secretary Dominic Raab this week, saying on its website that stockpiling food was not a “practical response” to a no-deal Brexit.

In a tense grilling by the Brexit Select Committee, the newly appointed Raab admitted admitted food would have to be stockpiled, but insisted there will be “adequate food supply”.

Read more: Brexit secretary admits food will need to be stockpiled

“It would be wrong to describe it as the government doing the stockpiling,” Raab said. “What we will make sure, and the idea that we only get food imports from one continent is not appropriate, but we will look at this issue in the round and make sure there is adequate food supply”.

The BRC said it had not been approached by the government to begin planning for a no-deal Brexit and that in any case, retailers lacked the facilities to house stockpiled goods.

“In the case of fresh produce, it is simply not possible to do so,” it said. “Our food supply chains are extremely fragile and this is yet further demonstration of the need for an agreement on the backstop to ensure frictionless trade is maintained after the 29 March 2019.”

Last week Raab warned a “no deal” Brexit is possible if talks fall through by October even as Theresa May steps up efforts to secure EU backing for her Chequers compromise.

Raab said that “any responsible government” would plan for a breakdown in negotiations, even if it is aiming for a trade deal with the EU.

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