I talk about the things that affect me in my blog. It has become necessary for my mental health. It is because I deal with autism that I struggle more.
Brexit
With a week and a half to go to Brexit, this particular blog is current, Brexit shortages is something we all need to know about, it will affect us all. Personally, I am struggling to comprehend what the UK has become.
Brexit, which is completely self-inflicted, can lead to food shortages after the Brexit transition period comes to an end in a few days time. From the 1st January, European rules will be enforced with long delays at the customs border, experts on both sides of the channel have said.
Leading haulage companies
Leading haulage companies in the UK has criticised preparation made by the Government, claiming truck companies have been unable to plan for the new rules, because they’ve not been told what the rules are.
Delays at customs
Also, delays at customs, together with the reluctance of EU-based haulage firms to get stuck in queues in and around UK ports will lead to a shortage of our favourite products including meat, wine, cheese and pasta. Everyday food and drink prices are also expected to increase because of shortages, with additional costs being incurred by delivery companies entering the UK.
Suffice to say, the Brexit is a complete nightmare scenario that will last for weeks, even months, all brought about because the UK chose to leave the EU. And now with the pandemic to deal with, we have two for the price of one life changing issues.
With bottle necks between the UK and EU it could take two to three days to get lorries through with perishable food going off. Marco Digioia, the secretary general of the European Road Haulers Association, said he was warning his members to expect “huge bottle necks between the UK and EU” and “empty shelves in supermarkets from the first week of 2021, expected to “last for weeks, even months.”
The UK imports
The UK imports around a half of its food, with a further quarter coming from the EU and the remainder from the rest of the world. European imports come mainly from the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and France which together count for around 45 percent.
Foods likely to be in short supply include green leaf salads and citrus fruits, which the UK rely heavily on from Spain, tomatoes from the Netherlands and pork from Denmark. Even cheddar cheese, a product associated with the UK, could be in short supply as the UK gets most of its cheddar cheese from Ireland.
Logistic experts
Logistics experts have said the main reason for food shortages will be because EU truck drivers and companies are refusing to add to their costs by sitting in queues at UK customs from 1 January. They have also said the UK has been unable to stockpile as food warehouses were already full.
Around four million trucks last year travelled across the English Channel, but the European Road Haulers Association believes the figure will be halved next year as customs restrictions are imposed with or without a Brexit deal being stuck before the end of 2021.
Brexit – an own goal
The only conclusion I can draw from what is happening is that we have done this to ourselves. In 2020 with so many issues the world has to deal with, it is even more important countries remain united and stay together.
Even if Brexit were a good idea, now would not be the time to enforce it.
Climate Change
We have climate change to deal with, the pandemic to deal with, the UK economy is already in its boots with people losing their jobs with little prospect for them moving forward. When anyone does something for their own gain that goes against the very nature of what the universe expects, particularly on this scale, we will all pay a heavy price.
With shortages already in the supermarkets (grocery stores) and we're not out yet, more struggles will ensue. You have to ask yourself what kind of people would inflict on the people they serve, then you can question their mental health. (Source: https://inewscouk)
Our governments were totally divorced from the reality of this pandemic from the very beginning. Time will judge them very harshly.
That said, it's time for our leadership to take extraordinary measures to make sure there is ample food supply for the people they are sworn to serve, since surviving this pandemic goes beyond ideologies and political agendas.
So let's continue to stick with what works; masks, social distancing and common sense. We will emerge from this crisis in the near future, hopefully unscathed.
Thanks Tim. Absolutely. Brexit has come at a time when the country has other things it needs to deal with, such as the pandemic.
I do think we have a long way to go with what's happening in the world and in the UK, Brexit is making everything worse.
Someone I spoke to yesterday described current circumstances in the UK as a 'perfect storm' - Brexit, Covid 19 and Christmas, but it doesn't have to be this way.
This government's stubborn rhetoric, driven by ill-founded political dogma has created this terrible situation where we know there will soon be empty supermarket shelves.
Shops are already rationing some foods in anticipation, but that's okay as long as the tory agenda is seen through to the bitter end, regardless of social consequences.
I have had enough of this polarised country and if I could move abroad, to a country where politics serves the people as it used to here in the UK, I would.
Thanks. Yes, I share your sentiments. Exactly! And it couldn't have come at a worse time. But attitudes must change, we must all want to do better, and be better people.
When we become better people, the rhetoric you talk about in your response, will automatically change.