A subsequent letter to British Broadsheet The Times, signed by National Farmers Union England, Scotland and Wales, the Ulster Farmers Union, 71 food ingredient businesses and a consortium of supermarkets states: "For our sector maintaining tariff-free access to the EU single market is a vital priority."
"It is where 75 percent of our food exports go, so all out farming and food businesses wish to achieve this outcome."
Letter to The Times: Tariff-free access to EU single market is vital post-#Brexit, say supermarkets and farm leaders https://t.co/bcb3lhhkmm pic.twitter.com/tTTGitBwNm
— Johann Tasker (@johanntasker) December 1, 2016
The letter also said access to seasonal and permanent employees from overseas is "essential" for Britain's food supply chain — and a so-called "hard Brexit" could put food supplies at risk.
'Hard #Brexit' would put UK food supplies at risk, warn leading supermarkets https://t.co/1hKXTgsOVp #FarmBrexit pic.twitter.com/sintX68Ilx
— FarmBrexit (@FarmBrexit) December 1, 2016
Another recent report by data analysts, Mintec, also warned that "prices are likely to rise in December" and advises consumers on stocking up on seasonal staples such as raisins, butter, flour and sugar which have soared in price since 2015, incidentally, the core ingredients for many cakes.
Bah Humbug! Merry Brexmas! #scrooge #brexit #brexitjokes #xmas pic.twitter.com/cnUuiVQQdW
— Madeleina Kay (@albawhitewolf) September 24, 2016
But the focus for the British PM remains on curbing immigration, rather than pushing her rhetoric on remaining in the single market. However European Union leaders have made is clear in public that Britain cannot have its cake and eat it, offering zero concessions on freedom of movement if it wants to remain in the single market.
#Brexit and #Cake — a limerick.@twitmericks pic.twitter.com/7t96SKS4K3
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) November 29, 2016
Meanwhile, UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has reportedly told four EU ambassadors during a special lunch that he supports freedom of movement.
The diplomats, speaking under Chatham House rule, which allows their comments to be reported but not attributed, said Mr. Johnson expressed he was personally in favor of freedom of movement — but it wasn't British government policy. Comments, a source close to the Foreign Secretary has dismissed as a "lie."
Suddenly, the rising cost of breakfast spread seems small fry compared to the prospect of a pricier Christmas and a food supply shortage while the British government continues to negotiate its future out of the European Union focusing on freedom of movement and immigration — rather than food.
