• The post you are reporting:
   
  Courtesy of the Telegraph
  
  
  
  Michael Gove is expected to become the first minister to recruit a military planner to address concerns that parts of the UK could run short on food in the event of a no deal Brexit. A Government source said the planner will also assess where food supplies can be stockpiled on Ministry of Defence land to ensure that there are not shortages in rural areas. The worst-case scenario in Operation Yellowhammer, seen by The Telegraph, assumes that Britons could be forced to eat a "restricted diet". There would have to be a "dramatic reduction in livestock production" so that crops are eaten by people rather than as animal feed. It states: "Should an extreme event (such as no access to trade) impact the UK's access to food, UK agriculture has enough nutritious food for the vulnerable, however it would be a restricted diet with less choice for consumers.
  
  "Maximising calorie production would lead to a dramatic reduction in livestock production with all crop production used for human food where possible instead of animal feed." It continues: "UK agriculture is also reliant on imported energy, fertiliser, seeds and machinery. If the scope for trade was ever completely removed, domestic agriculture itself would be deprived of it of a no deal Brexit.
  The planner, who will be in place by January, has been offered to Defra by the Ministry of Defence to help ensure that shops in rural communities have enough food in the event of a "worst case scenario".
  
  They will draw up contingencies based on a blueprint known in Whitehall as Operation Yellowhammer, which assumes “in extremis” that trade between Calais and Dover become severely disrupted. The planner is also expected to assess alternative routes into Britain for food supplies and to carry out preparatory work to ensure that rural communities are supplied.

Report Post

Your Name

Reason