Brexit food fears in short supply in Guernsey

Thursday 28 March 2019

While Brexit fears have persuaded the States of Jersey to go into partnership with the Co-op to ensure there's enough food over there, Guernsey has gone more low key with its preparations.

In Jersey, a £13,500 deal has been struck to ensure there are seven days worth of supplies held by the supermarket chain.

The agreement, which has been signed by Jersey's Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, and the Chief Executive of the Co-op, Colin Macleod, was designed to 'ensure that whatever the impacts felt within the United Kingdom as a result of Brexit, Jersey residents will not experience food shortages through supply chain disruption'.

The £13,500 pricetag is to cover 92 pallets of 87 different products, for a 'worse case' no deal scenario. That money is to pay for the picking and packing of stock on island, and transport to the Jersey Co-op branches, not for the actual stock, transport to the Island or warehousing.

The contract will last for three months, to cover the main dates when the UK might leave the EU, with no deal.

The @CI_Coop Limited has agreed with us to store additional quantities of food & popular items, over & above their usual stock, in order to provide islanders with essential supplies in the event of a no-deal #Brexit. https://t.co/KK2X0HZX8F pic.twitter.com/MyZtJ3fPKv

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) March 27, 2019

The States of Guernsey have not gone down the same path though, saying they've instead worked with all island retailers to ensure continuation of supplies throughout Brexit, whenever that happens.

“The States of Guernsey has been planning in partnership with the island’s food retailers for many months, in case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. 

"We are confident in those preparations and we thank our colleagues in the industry for their continuing contribution."

Guernsey's government is putting a brave face on Brexit and doesn't think there will be huge levels of disruption, beyond what we expect during times of bad weather.

"Our expectations continue to be that Guernsey may experience a limited amount of disruption with regards to the choice of products, and that any disruption will likely be similar to the situation islanders’ are well-used to experiencing at times, such as during winter storms.  While we have not made any specific agreements with any one retailer, our preparations have been made through close working with the entire food retail industry.’’

Pictured: The Co-op Grande Marche in St Martin, Guernsey. 

Jersey's Senator Gorst said he was delighted with the support offered by the Co-op to provide "increased resilience to the island’s supplies in advance of Brexit".

While, Colin Macleod said the Co-Op are "acutely aware of the impact that disruption to the island’s supply chain could have, especially on those most vulnerable, including elderly islanders and families with young children".

“I am proud that we have been able to provide support to the Government as Jersey negotiates the complexities of Brexit," he added, "and I hope that the sensible precautions we have taken will ensure islanders do not experience a significant impact in the event of a 'no deal' exit.”

The new agreement comes after a warning from Jersey's Chamber of Commerce that islanders should stockpile ahead of Brexit - as if for a "long bank holiday".

No such warning has been issued by any organisation in Guernsey.