Stena Line Warns A No-Deal Brexit Will Hit Food Supplies

The growing possibility of a no-deal Brexit could affect food supplies and see significant trade delays, ferry firm Stena Line has warned.

There is "very little readiness" at ports and "anxiety is high", said Ian Hampton, senior executive at the global ferry operator.

Stena is the largest ferry company in the Irish Sea and owns three UK ports.

The government said it had proposed an ambitious future relationship with the EU to keep trade flowing, but Mr Hampton said Stena Line may reduce services to and from the UK as a result of Brexit.

Traders may stop using Great Britain to get from Ireland and Northern Ireland to the rest of the EU, and instead sail directly.

"We can't plan on the basis of what we don't know, so we're very anxious about the outcome," Mr Hampton said.

Exiting the EU without a deal would create friction on Northern Ireland's border, and slow trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which could have a significant impact on the movement of goods, the ferry firm warned.

Food may not reach supermarket shelves on time if delays are put in place, and the company are unable to plan for this possible eventuality.

Stena Line is calling on the government to give clarity regarding the necessary trade-declarations if Brexit happens without a secured arrangement.



(JG/MH)