The environment secretary Theresa Villiers will be questioned by the EFRA committee next Wednesday, 4 September on Defra’s preparedness for a no-deal Brexit at the end of October.
The session, headed by the EFRA chair Neil Parish MP, is likely to cover the Government’s reported plans for emergency support to farmers in the event of a no-deal, and the impact on the price and availability of food.
Last month, leaked Government documents, named Operation Yellowhammer, revealed in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Government expected shortages of certain types of fresh foods. It expected critical elements of the food supply chain (such as ingredients, chemicals and packaging) to be in short supply, which will reduce availability and choice of food and increase the price, which will affect vulnerable groups.