Published on: Wednesday, December 23, 2020
By: AFP
Credit: AFP
LONDON: Britain could face a shortage of fresh produce and greens due to transport chaos at the border as tortuous Brexit talks linger and more countries shut borders after the emergence of a more contagious Covid-19 variant in England.
France decided to prevent freight travelling through the key port of Dover, through which 10,000 heavy goods vehicles pass each day.
The decision, initially set to last for 48 hours, caused Britain to bring forward “Operation Stack”, the contingency plan drawn up to deal with anticipated freight tailbacks on roads around Dover in the event of a no deal Brexit.
M & S Blackburn QUEUES formed outside shops and people reported empty shelves similar to those seen at the start of the UK’s first coronavirus lockdown. This comes despite repeated calls not to panic-buy after a new variant of coronavirus in the south-east of England caused France to stop freight travelling from the UK. There were queues in Blackburn town centre but these tended to be due to stores only allowing so many people in at one time. At M&S Blackburn shoppers could be seen patiently waiting to enter the store mid afternoon yesterday. The Blackburn Mall was busier than normal and bosses said they would extend opening hours.
| UPDATED: 14:54, Tue, Dec 22, 2020
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Tesco has issued advice asking shoppers not to panic buy products. The message has been shared following fears the UK food supply chain will be disrupted.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to chair an emergency meeting with ministers Monday after the announcement of a potentially fast-spreading new coronavirus variant prompted a chaotic border shutdown.
Alarm over the new variant, which was first identified in England, has resulted in British travelers being cut off from much of Europe and other parts of the world as countries imposed restrictions on travel from the UK.
France announced a temporary ban on all travel and accompanied freight on Sunday night, a potential disaster for UK exporters who rely on trade with Europe. The border closure exacerbated pre-Christmas delays, with trucks backed up from the port of Dover in the southeast of England, a key crossing point for hauliers.
Shellfish suppliers also warned their products could be in short supply.
They said the perishable products were stranded as the French border closed.
Britain faces shortages of fresh vegetables, salad, raspberries and strawberries in the New Year if the vast queues of lorries at Dover cannot be resolved today, experts have warned.
ADVERTISEMENT Timing is crucial with the backlog of trucks stuck at the port, say industry insiders, as panicked shoppers queued outside supermarkets from 5.30am this morning.
The warnings come from the British Retail Consortium, the trade association for UK retailers, who have reassured the British public that there is enough food available for Christmas.