Why consultation ‘pause’ is a big deal
Following pressure from the food and drink industry, this week we learn that the Environment Secretary Michael Gove has apparently agreed to ‘pause’ a series of planned consultations that will affect the sector.
If true, the news must surely come as a welcome relief to those in the industry currently dedicating huge amounts of time, money and resources to shoring up their businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
And that absolutely has to take priority over the proposed policy consultations that will affect food and drink manufacturers.
After all, as 29 March looms ever-closer, the no-deal scenario looks increasingly likely. And the ramifications of that simply don’t bear thinking about.
As FDF boss Ian Wright said in response to last week’s defeat of the government’s Brexit motion: “The defeat will only increase fears among food and drink manufacturers that there is now a diminishing prospect of rescue from the catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit.”
Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
