The British are preparing for “life after Brexit”: supermarkets are buying millions of bottles of wine, and citizens are stocking up on coffee, jam and shampoo
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After the countries of the European Council approved the agreement on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the British began to think strategic stocks of food and manufactured goods. Facebook users share tips on what to buy, widely circulated on the Internet have received the brochure “Preparing together” on the basis of instructions of the Swedish civil protection agencies.
In March the UK out of the European Union, and on 11 December, the Parliament will choose the scenario of divorce: a prolonged and amicable a sharp and disorderly. The second scenario is particularly concerned about the staff of supermarkets and ordinary citizens, writes the BBC Russian service and warns that pre-Christmas buying can turn into literally raids on British shops.
If, after Brexit between the UK and the EU will return customs delays can touch one third of the food and to 40% of fresh food – so much is imported into the country from the continent. The majority of British people are not particularly worried, but 2% have already started to stock up on food. In particular, the British Justina Kovalchuk have already collected the bulk box of coffee and French jam, as part of the rack filled with your favorite shampoo.
In Facebook created a group, the members of which (about 2,500 people) share recommendations of what to stock up on and study a 16-page booklet “Preparing together”, based on fresh instructions from the Swedish Ministry of civil defense. Among other things, given a list of foods suitable for stockpiling in case of emergency: crackers, cheese, pasta, canned soups, tea, coffee and nuts.
However, almost all Britons know that it will be not about survival but about maintaining a comfortable diet, to which they are accustomed. They make stocks for reasons suddenly their favorite foods will disappear from stores or more expensive. Bordeaux and Chianti, Camembert and Parmesan, prosciutto and ham – these lists are full of Newspapers.
For example, the Guardian encourages readers to pay attention to olive oil, rice and canned tomatoes, beans and tuna. A Swedish edition of the Scotsman offers to stock up on champagne and Belgian chocolate, flour, salt, sugar and toilet paper.
Meanwhile, the government claim that no reason to worry. “Food security in the UK the diversity of suppliers, both domestic and foreign. And it will remain so, we will leave the EU with or without agreement,” – said the representative of the Ministry of exit from the EU.
However, reminiscent of the BBC Russian service, on the main trade route through the port of Dover takes place daily more than 10 thousand trucks, of which a considerable part luck meal. Only citrus make up to 300 trucks a day, and return the customs at the border is fraught with empty shelves. Some supermarkets just in case declared “readiness number one”: alcoholic chain Majestic Wine has additionally purchased Brexit 1 million bottles of French, Spanish and Italian wines. As for prices, they are likely the deficit will increase at least to bring down the hype among the buyers.
Earlier, the UK government acknowledged that any Brexit would damage the economy, but a messy breakup will be particularly painful. However, according to economists, the accumulation of inventory exacerbates the problem as the damage from the divorce from Europe will add the inevitable slowdown in business activity after months of rapid preparation.
On 25 November, the European Council called on the European Commission and the European Parliament to provide the opportunity for agreement on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU entered into force on March 30, said on Sunday the EU Council.