NSA not surprised by Yellow Hammer papers

12th September 2019

UK Government has released its 'Operation Yellow Hammer' papers for which its no-deal planning assumptions are based upon. 

NSA Phil Stocker says: “We are not surprised to see this paper confirming what industry has been saying for a long time – that the agri-food sector will be the hardest hit with our reliance on cross border supply chains in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Although we recognise that this report is in part to inform Government what more they need to do to mitigate against the risks, and we are aware that Defra are working hard to prepare for a no-deal the document does recognise how damaging a no-deal would be and it is highly concerning that we remain on the path that could well lead to this outcome. The paper further sets out the risks of a shortage in veterinary medicines and the risks to animal and human health and welfare in the occasion of a disease outbreak, which the paper recognises we are not prepared for. It is concerning that these risks are deemed acceptable despite putting food security, jobs, industry and animal and human health and welfare on the line.”

The released Government document can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831199/20190802_Latest_Yellowhammer_Planning_assumptions_CDL.pdf