United Kingdom
If they don’t have tomatoes, let them eat turnips!
A British minister caused an uproar on Thursday by suggesting to parliament that, in the face of shortages, consumers fall back on vegetables other than those which are lacking in the country.
Published
Faced with the strong reactions aroused by Thérèse Coffey’s statements, the government hastened to specify that the minister had wanted to “celebrate the products that grow in the United Kingdom”.
AFP
The British Environment Minister became the target of fierce mockery on social media on Thursday following suggesting that her fellow citizens eat turnips in the face of fruit and vegetable shortages, notably tomatoes and peppers, which supermarkets in the United Kingdom are facing.
Faced with this shortage, stores are rationing the number of fruits and vegetables sold to customers, in order to guarantee availability for everyone. These shortages are due, according to the federation of traders BRC, to difficult weather conditions in southern Europe and North Africa.
The shortage might last another 2 to 4 weeks
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey announced to parliament on Thursday that this shortage might last “two to four weeks”. “Supermarkets still import far too many products (…). In fact we should eat more seasonal produce and support our British farmers,” reacted Conservative MP Selaine Saxby.
“It is important to make sure that we cherish the specialties that we have in this country,” replied the minister. “Many people would eat turnips right now instead of thinking regarding lettuces, tomatoes or similar things,” she continued. “But I realize that consumers want year-round choice,” she added.
In the face of strong reactions, a Downing Street spokesman said the minister had wanted to “celebrate the products that grow in the UK”. “But ultimately it’s up to individuals to decide what food they want to buy.” This spokesman also stressed that the shortages were not due to Brexit.
(AFP)
