Government strikes £13.5k Brexit food deal with Co-op

Wednesday 27 March 2019

The Government has struck a £13,500 deal with the Co-op to stock up on nearly 90 food items and popular products to avoid any shortages in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Co-op says it will be taking steps to mitigate the risks of any supply chain disruption by agreeing to hold some essential ambient grocery products on-island.

The agreement, which has been signed by the Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, and the Chief Executive of the Co-op, Colin Macleod, will 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.

Coming at a cost of £13,500 to cover three months, the deal will see the Co-op store an extra seven days of stock - 92 pallets containing 87 products.

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

Government officials also told Express that Ministers have authorised an additional two weeks to be stored if "an emergency situation" arises - but they believe this to be "highly unlikely".

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".

“We’ve supported the work of the Chamber of Commerce to encourage islanders to sensibly prepare by considering what items they might need in the event of supply chain disruption," he said. "Now, thanks to the good work of the Co-op, we are increasingly confident that there will be sufficient food and essential goods stored on Jersey, so that islanders should not feel the need to overstock at home.”

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".