Brexit ‘to blame for Christmas turkey price spike’, according to industry body
2 min read
Brexit could be to blame for a spike in the cost of Christmas turkeys, according to industry experts.
Paul Kelly, the chairman of the British Turkey Federation and boss of KellyBronze, a free range producer, said prices could jump by between 5% and 7%.
He blamed it on a fall in the value of the Pound plus the need to spend more on wages on eastern European workers.
A £25 increase in the price of a tonne of wheat - used in the birds’ feed - has also caused prices to rise throughout Europe.
Mr Kelly told the Guardian said his biggest fear was no longer being able to attract good quality workers because Brexit gave them the impression that they were not welcome.
He said: “It would just be me and my dad. It’s a hell of a worry.
“The emotional side of things means they don’t want to come here. They don’t feel welcome and don’t see a future.”
The news comes as the Government looked set to roll out its live trial of post-Brexit registration to 250,000 EU citizens.
It will first test the scheme with vulnerable individuals as ministers seek to smooth out wrinkles in its settled scheme status.
The extension follows the launch of a pilot scheme in the north-west of England involving 12 NHS trusts and three universities in Liverpool.
