Among the perhaps unforeseen consequences of Brexit, and aggravated by Covid, only the chicken crisis was missing. We are not giving birds to the British, but here we are talking about real animals, those that end up on family tables but above all those cooked roasted in the thousands of fast food restaurants throughout the United Kingdom. Among the most renowned is that of the chain (South African) Nando's, known to all for its chicken in spicy Peri-Peri sauce: here, Nando's had to close about fifty premises, out of a little over 400 in total, therefore almost 25%. The reason? She was no longer able to get supplies of chickens. The same problem that the equally well-known KFC chain is experiencing, which instead specializes in fried chicken and had to inform customers of possible changes to the menu in the coming weeks. “Around the country there have been some disruptions in recent weeks, so things may be a little different next time you visit us,” KFC warns on its Twitter profile.
The difficulty in obtaining supplies of poultry, which could soon also affect independent pubs and restaurants, is due to a sensational one staff shortages throughout the supply chain, from farmers to meat processors to HGV drivers who are expected to transport the much needed birds around the UK. These tasks are mainly carried out by foreigners, also and above all Europeans (especially from Eastern Europe), many of whom, however, due to the pandemic, have returned to their countries of origin to spend the confinement and perhaps, discouraged or prevented by Brexit , have never returned across the Channel, leaving the agri-food industry uncovered. It is estimated that between 500.000 and 1,3 million foreigners have left the country since Covid, and that as of June, hundreds of thousands of jobs in the restaurant chain were still vacant.
Covid also affected those who remained. In fact, between lockdowns and mandatory quarantines, the chicken industry (like many others) has had enormous difficulties in managing its personnel and those looking for new workers are having a hard time finding them, because perhaps they are not vaccinated or reluctant to accept a job in close contact with suppliers and customers. However, starting this week in the United Kingdom, vaccinated people who have come into contact with Covid positives will no longer have to go into quarantine, and this should also facilitate work in general, including poultry workers. However, according to some experts, the bird crisis is destined to last until Christmas: the British press reports that many producers have already communicated a 10% cut in the annual production of chickens and turkeys, and above all a 20% cut in Christmas production, when tradition in particular requires turkey at the table.
The seriousness and complexity of the situation is explained by Richard Griffiths, director of the British Poultry Council's, the association which has represented the poultry industry since 1967: “UK's food security will be hit by a double whammy: food inflation and an increasing reliance on imported food. This can only lead to a two-tier food system, where high-quality British food becomes out of reach for many underprivileged consumers.”
