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Post Brexit food

(244 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Wed 07-Aug-19 07:45:55

The BBC is reporting about food suppliers plans post Brexit and their efforts to try to keep the food supply flowing.

It is clear that the biggest issue is going to be around fresh fruit and vegetables and the sufficient level to ensure that there is no shortage.

However, if, in the event of a shortage I think that the government should definitely introduce a form of rationing, in order that the wealthy, those living close to lots of stores etc should not be able to snap up this essential part of our diet at the expense of the poor and vulnerable.

JenniferEccles Wed 07-Aug-19 13:13:05

Possible food shortages in a country where around 80% of the population is obese is not a bad thing.

GabriellaG54 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:18:39

I think the vast majority of Polish and Romanian peoples are an asset to this country.
I have worked with them and for them and their work ethic puts some English people to shame.
From car washing to caring, nannies to hairdressers and prison officers, those I have met and known were and are helpful, cheerful, hardworking and generous.
As in any society, there are some who don't fit that description but the vast majority do.

GillT57 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:21:13

Jennifereccles are you for real? ^Possible food shortages in a country where around 80% of the population is obese is not a bad thing^

Overthehills Wed 07-Aug-19 13:26:34

Some people keep harking back to WWII and everybody pulling together etc. That is not the situation now, we are a divided nation.

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:28:06

At least it's good that they intend to change the law so the big food companies will be allowed to confer to ensure supplies are sent where needed.

To some extent, I agree about the way the Brits managed during the war. It's a known fact that people were healthier.

varian Wed 07-Aug-19 13:31:40

If brexit is not stopped you can be pretty sure we would become more divided.

When we start to suffer the consequenses everyone will look for someone to blame.

The Remainers will try hard not to say "we told you so" but will, quite justifiably blame the leavers, especially the liars of the Leave campaign who fooled too many decent people.

The Leavers, spurred on by the politicians who caused this mess and by the right wing tabloids, will blame the EU,

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:31:56

And I think too much emphasis is put on what we should eat. I think we would be fine without all the out-of-season foods we think we have must shipped in. I think the five a day thing is most likely bollocks. Half an orange a day was found to be plenty for schoolchildren during the war.

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:33:16

When did we find we actually needed blueberries in the Winter?

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:34:31

We have freezers so don't even need to brush up on our bottling skills.

GillT57 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:36:10

Gonegirl nobody needs blueberries in winter and that is irrelevant. I assume that you dismiss the five a day guidance along with climate change? Same mindset, dismissing experts.

GracesGranMK3 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:37:16

I don't think you need rationing. You just get everyone to fill in a form saying whether they voted leave or remain. Leave voters instead of telling us, oh so arrogantly, that we must eat according to their rules (none of which we were told about before the referendum) can go to the back of the queue. When those who voted remain have stocked up they can have their pick of what is left.

They can then preen and peacock their cleverness in not wasting anything, living off the land, growing things that don't grow in this country and looking up old war-time recipes.

Obviously, if people decide they are not prepared to make the sacrifice for leaving and the numbers go down with reality striking we do no leave after all.

GracesGranMK3 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:40:24

JenniferEccles do tell me when you were voted in to tell others how to run their lives. Some posts from leavers are getting beyond arrogance.

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:40:53

Dont't EVER say I dismiss climate change! And certainly not within earshot of my GS2 who is a far too highly active member of XR!

The very idea. hmm

I "dismiss" nothing. I use common sense.

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:42:07

That as to Gill57 (who obviously misses all the best threads on GN)

Pantglas1 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:42:44

Dear me! A Joyce grenfell monologue....

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:44:10

It is not irrelevant either. A lot of people think we need out of season fruits flown in. We don't, and the planet would be better without it.

Minniemoo Wed 07-Aug-19 13:44:20

GracesGranMk3. And if we don't experience these shortages and disasters what do you suggest we do with the Remainers?

Put them in the stocks and throw abundant cabbages and tomatoes?

Calendargirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:44:42

We were talking to a chap who owns a scrap metal business. He told us in the really hot days recently, his workers (all Eastern European’s) were waiting in the yard half an hour before start time, probably 7 a.m. or thereabouts. They laboured diligently all day, reluctant to stop for water or anything. He said they were dripping in sweat but their work ethic in the heat was amazing.

Before anyone mentions exploitation, I am sure he pays them well because he values them greatly. British workers doing the same job? Not interested he says.

Gonegirl Wed 07-Aug-19 13:45:44

Oh I can be far less polite than Joyce Grenfell ever was. hmm

GracesGranMK3 Wed 07-Aug-19 13:53:34

Gonegirl please tell me when you were appointed head-girl of food? As yet we don't live in a dictatorship. You will have us singing songs telling how wonderful the state is and how they provide what we need next!

It really doesn't matter what is good for us or not - why does anyone want to put us in a position where either the state controls food or people go without or even have to worry about it. When we're we told that was what "leave" would mean.

Theoddbird Wed 07-Aug-19 15:03:20

We used to eat just in season food...why not again? I might start freezing peppers though...my favourite veg. smile

grandtanteJE65 Wed 07-Aug-19 15:10:12

Considering how much food the UK imports, you surely must have realised this might be a problem?

IMO encouraging market gardeners and famers to grow more, or making it possible for them to do so will do more good than rationing.

Anyone who has a garden should consider increasing the size of their kitchen garden. Those who don't have gardens or don't have the health and strength to garden will just need to come up with ideas for some kind of collective gardens.

This is one of the issues that the original campaign to leave the EU does not seem to have discussed honestly.

Firecracker123 Wed 07-Aug-19 15:11:49

What about Spanish and French farmers after Brexit are they going to let their crops rot in the fields and lose one of their biggest customers I don't think so.

quizqueen Wed 07-Aug-19 15:45:30

There are many countries in the world which actually grow food and, believe it or not, they are all not in the EU so we will still be importing from them.

If the EU find they are being left with excess fresh food because there is some delay at the ports ( on their side) then perhaps they may consider it was their fault for not giving the beat deal to their best friend and ally. We can eat all the lovely British grown food, if there is some delay on our side, ourselves.

Looking at another thread on here about obesity, I think a few food shortage may do some people some good! If there are food shortages, they will more likely be caused by selfish panic buying.

quizqueen Wed 07-Aug-19 15:47:28

'the best deal', not the 'beat'