What food stocks are held in the Island in the case of an Emergency

1240/5(2005)

QUESTION TO BE ASKED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2003, BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN

Question

1. U n der the Emergency Measures Plan, historically the Island held three months food supply in the Island. In recent timesthese food stockshave been reduced.Given that all food carries a sell-by date, will the President indicate, in weeks and months,what food stocks are held in the eventof an emergency?;
2. e a rlier in 2003, I had a meeting with the Emergencies Council andwasgivenanassurance that an up- dated emergencymanual,namelyanEmergencyMeasures Plan wouldbeforthcoming. Will thePresident give details of when thesaid Plan will beforthcoming?;
3. w i ll the Presidentinformmemberswhetherthe updated EmergencyMeasures Plan will bepresentedto the Statesfor consideration, and , if not, the reasons why?

Answer

1. T h e Departmentof Agriculture and Fisheries agreed to take responsibility for EmergencyFood Planning from the former DefenceCommitteewith effect from 1st January 1990.

S t o c ks of margarine, biscuits and yeast were kept in the store until 1994/1995, when, following

consultations with the former MAFF, now known as DEFRA, and other appropriate organisations, these stocks were disposed of. This decision was made as it was felt that it was no longer appropriate to keep such stocks due to changing attitudes concerning peace time requirements and the cost of replacing them as they became out of date.

It is estimated that three weeks of food stocks, namely tinned goods, are held generally by commercial

organisations in the Island at any one time.

I n th e event of a peace time disaster affecting the Island, support and provisions could be obtained

speedily through the U.K. If the problem is caused by a worldwide conflict, certain factories and manufacturers are able to increase and stockpile necessary items which could be ordered during the lead- up to any outright war situation.

2. The existingEmergencyMeasures Plan waslast updated in April2003.The next revision of the outline responsibilities withinthe plan is due in February 2004, and it is anticipated that an updated Emergency Measures Plan Part I will be issued shortly thereafter. Anyoperationalchanges arising from the updated plan will be reflected in alterations to departmentalmajorincidentplans.
3. T h e current EmergencyMeasures Plan is classified and, as far as I know, wasnever presented to the States. The Emergencies Council has not considered putting the revised Plan to the States for consideration.