Sustain lays out key concerns over no-deal Brexit’s “devastating effect on food and farming”

29 Jul 2019 --- Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, has raised its key health, environmental concerns and policy priorities with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's new Cabinet. A highlighted concern is ensuring that a no-deal Brexit does not disrupt food supplies, British farmers and standards. As British food is exported either to or through EU countries, and one-third of UK food currently comes from Europe, Sustain fears serious disruption in either direction will have a “devastating effect on British farmers and food producers, as well as consumers.”

“Over eight million citizens in the UK already live in food insecurity and do not have the means to stockpile or cope with even a short-term disruption in food supply in the event of a no-deal Brexit, nor to afford higher prices associated with scarcity or currency fluctuation. In addition, we are very concerned that food donations to food banks could dry up,” Chief Executive of Sustain, Kath Dalmeny, says in a letter to the UK’s new premier. 

Dalmeny explains how in March Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, briefed Parliament that the Government was considering a hardship fund for those set to be negatively impacted by no-deal Brexit. 

Dalmeny is now urging Johnson to ensure that plans for this are accelerated to be in place for October 31, when the UK will leave the EU without a deal unless a withdrawal agreement is renegotiated between Johnson and Brussels prior to this deadline.

Sustain's members and thousands of people responding to the Department for International Trade’s recent consultation, have also expressed alarm at suggestions that the UK might suspend or diminish its food regulations and initiation of trade discussions with countries such as the US, Dalmeny points out. 

“They have also caused concerns that trade deals might lower food standards, farming and pesticide standards, environmental regulations, animal welfare and farm antibiotics stewardship,” she says. “Given there are no regulations about food labeling in places like hospitals, schools or restaurants, and for ready-meals, UK consumers will not know that they are eating products that do not meet British food standards,” she says.

“Farming unions have been clear that our farmers’ livelihoods will be put at risk if they have to compete against cheap, lower standard food imports. Those farming unions fear a no-deal Brexit, as do leading food manufacturers and workers’ unions.”

Dalmeny’s letter also lists other key policy priorities identified through extensive work with alliance members over the past two years. These include:

- Securing robust environment and agriculture policy and legislation;
- Renewing Government’s commitment to the National Food Strategy;
- Supporting a sustainable fishing industry;
- Championing the Childhood Obesity Plan, Soft Drinks Industry Levy and Healthy Start;
- Updating School Food Standards and Healthy Schools Ratings;
- Using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for better food and farming outcomes;
- Guaranteeing food safety, quality and high production standards in trade deals;
- Ensuring transparency and compliance with international agreements;
- Properly funding public health and establishing a “Right to Food”.

Last week, the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said a no-deal Brexit “will inflict serious and – in some cases mortal – damage on UK food and drink.” A no-deal would destroy the opportunities to make the country’s £4 billion (US$4.9 bn) food chain the most dynamic, sustainable and competitive in the world, as detailed in the industry's recently published “Plan for Success”, according to FDF Chief Executive Ian Wright. 

By Gaynor Selby