Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 25
25
The Government cannot afford to be complacent; even though the supply chain ultimately proved to...
Conclusion
The Government cannot afford to be complacent; even though the supply chain ultimately proved to be resilient, for several weeks shoppers were faced with empty shop shelves and (in effect) rationing of staple goods. This disruption largely came from changing patterns of demand caused by Government action, which is an unusual situation. Disruptions that reduce the supply of food to the UK, for example because of a disorderly end to the transition period or climate change effects, will pose different, and potentially greater, challenges altogether. There also remains the possibility that further waves of COVID-19, or another future pandemic, may still lead to the disruption of cross-border supply chains. We welcome the Secretary of State’s confidence about the end of the transition period, but seek reassurances that food supply disruptions have been factored into contingency planning across Government. Defra must review the annual Sector Security and Resilience Plans for the food sector in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent to which consumer behaviour can disrupt supply chains. It should also be clearer about the difference between resilience and efficiency, and assess the extent to which our dependence on multi-national just-in-time supply chains affects resilience. Given the industry’s concerns about the potential impact of a disorderly end to the Brexit transition period, and other potential risk factors, this should happen as a matter of urgency.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The UK has a highly-resilient food supply chain and a food industry which is experienced in dealing with disruptions to food supply. This has been demonstrated by the industry response including its work to establish alternative supply routes and suppliers, where appropriate, and other measures to minimise disruption. The Government has a supportive role utilising well-established ways of working with the food industry. This includes extensive and ongoing engagement to support industry in preparedness for, and response to, potential food supply chain disruptions. We will be building on this approach to plan for the end of the Transition Period. Through engagement with industry for EU Exit planning and COVID-19 response, Defra has significantly enhanced our knowledge and understanding of supply chain activity. The COVID-19 response demonstrated the importance of resilient supply chains, to ensure the continued flow of essential items and to keep global trade moving. During the response, Defra completed extensive mitigation and contingency planning work to consider COVID-19 impacts on international food supply chains, and the knock-on impacts for the UK. The Government regularly reviews whether any short-term civil contingency planning is required. The Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office continues to work to address all civil contingencies risks, including any that might arise at the end of the Transition Period. As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, we will keep assessing what the risk of disruption might be at the end of December and will continue to plan for these risks. Defra are conducting lessons learned exercises into the impact consumer behaviour and government interventions had on the food supply chain, and have reviewed our Sector Security Resilience Plans in light of these experiences.