Resilience in supply chair

WQ.119/2022

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER

BY THE CONNETABLE OF ST. BRELADE QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 11th APRIL 2022 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON WEDNESDAY 20th APRIL 2022

Question

“Given the much-increased ‘no warning’ cyber and other supply chain vulnerabilities and risks since Russia invaded Ukraine, will the Chief Minister undertake to improve Jersey’s resilience, and specifically a shift away from a ‘just in time’ re-supply basis to one based on 7 days on-Island supplies of essential food and critical stocks (including pharmaceutical products); and if not, why not?”

Answer

Jersey started looking at the headline risks associated with the war in Ukraine before the Russian invasion on the 24th February. On 3rd February, the Emergencies Council discussed a number of potential risks that could cause a significant impact to the Island, at short notice, including a potential war between Russia and Ukraine. As part of preparations, the Command, Control and Coordination structure was established, including the formation of specialist Cells (including a Supply Chain Cell) and the Cyber- Technical Advice Cell. Food stocks carried on-island are typically between 2 and 21 days for ambient foodstuffs, and 3 to 21 days for frozen products. Deliveries of perishable goods by their very nature are frequent because of their short shelf life. Experience from Brexit planning and Covid planning is that the supply chain of ambient and frozen foods to Jersey was extremely resilient, and planning for the risks associated with the war in Ukraine has not established any change in this at this stage. We also import foodstuffs in smaller quantities from the EU via French ports, which is an additional source of supply that could be exploited further if necessary During Brexit planning, UK Government guidance was also that Government should not interfere in the commercial activities of the food industry, as to do so would by its very nature discriminate against some parts of the market and provide an advantage to others. We are confident that as long as foodstuffs are available in the UK, we will be able to get them to Jersey. Jersey’s food businesses are commercial operations, and they do not have a formal role in ensuring that Jersey’s food security needs are met. The Government of Jersey has in the past worked closely with the retail and wholesale sectors to gain assurances around the supply of foodstuffs in the event of short-term disruption. Specifically, to ensure that alternative supply routes are available if and when needed and to ensure that adequate supplies of essential goods (e.g., formula milk) are held on-island, such that periods of disruption of up to a week do not lead to shortages of these goods. However, as noted above, our current assessment is that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia should not at this point in time lead to short term disruption of Jersey’s food supply chain. These risks are reviewed on more than a weekly basis by the Supply Chain Cell, and are captured for scrutiny on the Op Calcite Risk Assessment, which is currently Version 1.6. The Supply Chain Cell’s opinion is that there is no requirement to recommend adding any further levels of resilience at this point, given the complexities that it would introduce. This will, however, be kept under review. HCS typically hold 4-6 weeks of drug stocks, and are an intrinsic part of the NHS supply chain. Hospital Supplies hold 6 weeks of consumables stock on island, across roughly 1,900 stock lines, and they also provide consumables for HCS, long term care and primary care providers. Jersey also forms part of the National Supply Disruption Response: this enables us to highlight any specific drug shortages that we may be experiencing, and this can be escalated to expedite the supply of these drugs to us as needed. In terms of the Critical National Infrastructure, all organisations have been encouraged to carry enough stocks of spares, parts, and consumables since our Brexit planning to smooth out any supply chain or availability issues. This is still the case.