Current international situation

WQ.252/2023

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY S.G. LUCE OF GROUVILLE AND ST. MARTIN QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 5th JUNE 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 12th JUNE 2023

Question

“Given the current international situation and the increased risks to supply chains, will the Chief Minister –

1. provide the formal definition of one day’s food supply in Jersey broken down per adult, child, and infant;
2. provide (based on the definition provided in answer to (a) above) the methodology and calculation that produces the total food supplies required for an assumed population of 105,000 for both 14 days and 28 days;
3. reconcile the figures provided in response to (a) and (b) with the supply of food held by retailers and wholesalers quoted in the Chief Minister’s reply to Written Question 207/2023;
4. state the total volumes of fresh, frozen, and ambient food stocks held in the Island; and
5. state whether a physical inspection, or audit, of fresh, frozen, and ambient stocks has ever been undertaken in the Island?”

Answer

1. Government does not hold this specific information however the island’s food supply requirements are outlined as “food-energy requirements” (rather than food-volumes) and are outlined in section 2 in A brief review of Jersey’s Food Security by Dr Steve Webster.

The supply and demand of food and associated stock levels is dealt with by the markets and has historically proven its ability to self-regulate. Recent history has shown that the Island’s supply chain has shown resilience to significant economic and geo-political shocks, including Brexit, Covid and the invasion of Ukraine. As such, current levels of supply are considered adequate. However, the Government continues through its emergency planning, risk and business continuity functions to keep risks to the supply chain under constant review.

Government retains emergency powers for use in emergencies but otherwise does not interfere in the market process and must remain continually aware of the law of unintended consequences and the unanticipated and unforeseen effects of its participation, regulation or legislating where not required.  

2. See answer provided in (a)
3. See answer provided in (a)
4. Government does not hold this information. The typical volumes of fresh, frozen and ambient food stocks held by wholesalers in the island was answered in /assemblyquestions/2023/wq.207-2023.pdf - see appendix below.

An approximate supply of foodstuffs held by retailers is detailed in section 2 in A brief review of Jersey’s Food Security by Dr Steve Webster. - see pasted table in appendix below

5. No, a physical inspection or audit of food stores has not been undertaken in the island. As per the answer to part (a), the Island has historically relied on private sector companies to satisfy normal demand for food through the existing supply chain, which has been shown to be resilient and capable of meeting local demand. Government has been looking at improving supply chain resilience through an enhanced southern supply route to France and this work is ongoing.

The supply chain continues to be regularly monitored by the relevant departments (Economy, Health & Community Services, and Justice & Home Affairs). Under the Emergency Powers and Planning (Jersey) Law 1990, specific Ministers are designated as competent authorities having the responsibility and power to secure certain essentials of life for the community as and when required.

Appendix:

The typical volumes of fresh, frozen and ambient food stocks held by wholesalers in the island (2018 data)

Food retailers have confirmed storage for fresh food of 1-3 days, 2-3 days for frozen food, and ambient food ranges from 3-7 days' supply.

Food wholesalers have confirmed they hold 1-4 weeks of chilled product, 4-6 weeks of ambient product and 2-4 weeks of frozen product. Subject to sell by dates, these frozen products can have a shelf life of up to 6 months. These supplies have proven to be adequate and as such have not changed since January 2022.