North Yorkshire County Council has played down fears that food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.
The UK’s transition period to leave the EU will end on December 31. Many companies and public bodies are having to make plans, with transport firms expecting queues at the border.
Stella Perrott, a member of the campaign group North Yorkshire for Europe, sent a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire County Council, asking what preparations it was undertaking as the December 31 deadline approached.
NYCC released a Brexit risk assessment, published in September, which states that “there is significant risk of delays at ports that will impact supply chains” and that the authority is evaluating capacity for frozen food storage.
As the council has responsibility for education and public health in the Harrogate district, Ms Perrot suggested the council’s response meant it could be stockpiling food at schools and care homes.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council to update us on its plans for Brexit. In a statement, NYCC said it is “managing any adverse impact” that may arise from Brexit, but said this did not involve stockpiling food.
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Shaun Mancrief, head of traded service at NYCC said:
“These frozen food supplies are the regular supplies to our school catering service and elderly persons’ homes. This includes vegetables, bread, ice cream and fish. These products are sourced locally as far as possible, including all vegetables.
“Our aim is simply to manage any adverse impact that may arise from Brexit so that we can continue the regular service of providing meals to schools and elderly persons’ homes.
“We are working closely with our suppliers on this. At this stage, there are no issues with supply or storage of frozen food. Under normal circumstances, our suppliers hold high levels of stock as this allows them to manage pricing to give us the best possible value.
“We are not stockpiling food for our services, simply ensuring that business as usual can be maintained.”
