Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March to Question 132028 on Food Supply, whether his Department has made contingency plans in the event that the required flow of food goods from the EU is not achieved.

The Government is pursuing a unique and ambitious economic partnership that provides the greatest possible tariff free and frictionless trade with the EU.

The UK’s favourable food security is built on access to a diverse range of sources of supply, including domestic production. This will continue to be the case after leaving the EU, even if the source of some UK food supply changes. Food supply is highly resilient with flexibility throughout the supply chain, and industry can respond quickly to ensure ongoing supply.

Defra has longstanding mechanisms in place to work with the food industry. Our industry sector working group can jointly implement contingency plans if required. This comprises food chain Trade Associations and relevant Government Departments including Devolved Administrations and agencies.

Defra is working closely with other Government departments, including the cross-Government Border Delivery Group (BDG), which provides oversight and assurance of departmental plans for managing the border-related impacts of leaving the EU both for Day 1 and beyond. Planning work aims to ensure three key objectives for the border are delivered: maintaining security; facilitating the flow of goods and people; revenue protection. In addition, we are working to ensure that the necessary systems and processes are in place so that trade continues to flow smoothly after we leave.