Boris Johnson asked for ‘emergency’ food deal, says Bolsonaro
No 10 denies Brazilian president’s claim but some speculate food item is turkeys for Christmas
Jair Bolsonaro (left) said Boris Johnson made the request for an unspecified food product after a meeting in New York this week.
Photograph: Michael M Santiago/PA
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has claimed Boris Johnson asked him for an “emergency” deal to ease shortages of an unspecified food product, amid concerns about further disruption to supermarket supplies.
A lack of drivers and food pickers, as well as carbon dioxide used to stun animals for slaughter and create dry ice to keep food fresh, has led to fears that some goods will be missing from shelves in the run-up to Christmas.
Downing Street has urged people not to panic-buy, after the announcement by BP that there may be a lack of fuel at some petrol stations and the managing director of Iceland supermarket warned food supplies could come under threat within days, not weeks.
Government insiders worry about a return to the days leading up to the first coronavirus lockdown, where shelves were left bare as people stockpiled items such as toilet roll.
Bolsonaro made the claim about Johnson’s request after a meeting between them in New York earlier this week at the UN general assembly. The prime minister had stressed the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine to his Brazilian counterpart.
However, speaking in his weekly webcast to supporters, Bolsonaro recalled that Johnson “wants an emergency agreement with us to import some kind of food that is lacking in England”, according to Reuters, though he did not specify what the product was.
It is understood the UK government regards the claim as untrue.
Some have speculated the food Brazil could be helpful with supplying is turkeys, after UK poultry producers said serious staff shortages caused by Brexit could mean there would not be enough of the birds to go around this Christmas.
According to the website Poultry World, Brazil is the world’s third highest producer of poultry – including chicken and turkey – and exported 12.5m tonnes to the EU last year.
On Thursday, Johnson’s deputy spokesperson said fuel and food had a “very resilient supply chain” in the UK. They urged people not to change their behaviour, and stressed: “People should continue to buy it as usual.”
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, vowed to “move heaven and earth” to solve the nationwide shortage of truck drivers. Asked about the Petrol Retailers Association warning drivers to keep a quarter of a tank of fuel in their car in case forecourts ran out, he downplayed the issue and said motorists should “carry on as normal” and not panic-buy.
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has claimed Boris Johnson asked him for an “emergency” deal to ease shortages of an unspecified food product, amid concerns about further disruption to supermarket supplies.
A lack of drivers and food pickers, as well as carbon dioxide used to stun animals for slaughter and create dry ice to keep food fresh, has led to fears that some goods will be missing from shelves in the run-up to Christmas.
Downing Street has urged people not to panic-buy, after the announcement by BP that there may be a lack of fuel at some petrol stations and the managing director of Iceland supermarket warned food supplies could come under threat within days, not weeks.
Government insiders worry about a return to the days leading up to the first coronavirus lockdown, where shelves were left bare as people stockpiled items such as toilet roll.
Bolsonaro made the claim about Johnson’s request after a meeting between them in New York earlier this week at the UN general assembly. The prime minister had stressed the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine to his Brazilian counterpart.
However, speaking in his weekly webcast to supporters, Bolsonaro recalled that Johnson “wants an emergency agreement with us to import some kind of food that is lacking in England”, according to Reuters, though he did not specify what the product was.
It is understood the UK government regards the claim as untrue.
Some have speculated the food Brazil could be helpful with supplying is turkeys, after UK poultry producers said serious staff shortages caused by Brexit could mean there would not be enough of the birds to go around this Christmas.
According to the website Poultry World, Brazil is the world’s third highest producer of poultry – including chicken and turkey – and exported 12.5m tonnes to the EU last year.
On Thursday, Johnson’s deputy spokesperson said fuel and food had a “very resilient supply chain” in the UK. They urged people not to change their behaviour, and stressed: “People should continue to buy it as usual.”
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, vowed to “move heaven and earth” to solve the nationwide shortage of truck drivers. Asked about the Petrol Retailers Association warning drivers to keep a quarter of a tank of fuel in their car in case forecourts ran out, he downplayed the issue and said motorists should “carry on as normal” and not panic-buy.
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In earlier days my family and their friends sent money and food back to a then poverty-stricken China - no need today.
Here's an opportunity for TS to send some foodstuff to his Great White Mother 😀😁😂
No Need lah....500 yo Bullyland produces 4 times more turkeys than Brasil. One phone call to Biden and AUKUS partner will send over as many birds as Boris wants ha ha ha...
ReplyDeleteScottie has asked for a favourable trade deal from Biden & yet gotten NOTHING!
DeleteBoris could very well given a turkey feather pen for his effort!
Wakakakakaka…
UK is likely looking for an urgent commercial deal...not charity.
ReplyDeleteThe US could easily supply it as well, but at higher cost.
You don't play politics with food... which is why I say the People's Republic of China's games with Austrian food purchases is a very dangerous game.
One of these days it will boomerang badly on China, which is not self sufficient in food supplies.
It may well have built up large buffers, but buffers is Not self sufficiency.
Oz isn't the key supplier of food supplies to China!
DeleteThere r amble & willing sellers in international markets.
Wakakakakaka… including yr uncle Sam selling favourably to the Chinese at the expenses of the Oz!