This summer edition of the Week Ahead in International Trade covers a recent warning about the risks extreme weather poses to the UK’s food supply, the Scottish Labour leadership race getting underway, and changes to French border protocols affecting UK exporters of animal carcasses.
Food shortage warnings
Amid record-breaking heatwaves in the UK and across Europe, farmers have warned the government to take action before the country faces food shortages.
A Guardian report noted that UK flooding in the winter, combined with the country’s third drought in five years, made planting difficult for this year’s harvest and stunted the growth of crops.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw noted that the extreme weather is compromising supplies of key commodities abroad, as well as at home:
“Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well.”
He suggested there could be “some shortages of [food] products”.
The warning came as new chancellor John Healey pledged vigilance over profiteering from retailers amid shortages of both food and fuel. This weekend he said he would “watch closely” for evidence of retailers using shortages to their advantage and would prevent consumers “being taken for a ride at the pump or the till”.
The cost-of-living crisis is high on the Burnham government’s agenda, with the PM himself stating that he would do “whatever he can” to take “the pressure off” those struggling financially.
Scottish Labour leader elections
The repercussions of Andy Burnham’s ascent and cabinet formation continue to ripple out across UK politics. Following the election of Labour’s Bev Craig to Burnham’s vacated Manchester mayor role, elections will be held to find Anas Sarwar’s replacement as Scottish Labour leader.
MSPs Monica Lennon, Michael Marra and Joe Fagan have all confirmed that they will stand for the role, with the BBC reporting timelines for the leadership contest.
The three nominees will need to gain sufficient support from MSPs, MPs and affiliated organisations by 17 August, with votes then cast by party members and affiliates between 28 August and 17 September. A new leader should be announced on 19 September.
Sarwar accepted a peerage and took up the role of minister for trade in Andy Burnham’s government, following a poor turnout at May’s Scottish parliamentary elections, where his party won only 17 out of 129 seats.
Candidates have echoed some of the problems faced by the UK party, with Lennon commenting that “factionalism infighting” must end and with Fagan looking to Burnham’s victory as indicative of what can be achieved if the party gets “serious about changing people's lives”.
Defra notice
The Department for the Environment, Farming & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) has warned those exporting animal carcasses to Europe via France that they should be prepared for changes to inspection protocol.
From 1 August “operators may be expected to assist with the presentation of hanging carcasses” at French Border Control Posts.
In an email updating traders, APHA writes that despite repeated requests from Defra for insight into “when assistance may be required during inspections, PPE requirements, liability, health and safety responsibilities, and the role expected of operators”, little information has been provided by French authorities.
“The only guarantee Defra have received is that carcasses rejected because of this change will be allowed to return to GB”, it confirms.
APHA advises traders to prepare for operational uncertainty and provide any feedback to gbeupolicyqueries@defra.gov.uk.
Elsewhere in the headlines
· Another round of US-Iran peace talks is slated for today, according to US president Donald Trump
· Australian farmers have raised biosecurity fears amid a possible trade deal with India which would foster more agricultural imports from the South Asian nation
Other dates in the diary
Monday: Met Office publishes July climate statistics
Tuesday: Saudi Aramco also publishes results
Wednesday: Former lawyer at US law firm in court having been charged with insider trading by the Financial Conduct Authority
Thursday: Bolivian president Rodrigo Paz to deliver his first State of the Nation address
Friday: Edinburgh Fringe Festival begins
Saturday: Anniversary of US President Richard Nixon’s resignation after the Watergate scandal
Sunday: Singapore’s National Day
