BBC viewers hit out at coverage about ‘Christmas shortages’
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
There is a particular shortage of geese, the eating of which is a long-held tradition in Germany at Christmas, leading supermarkets and restaurants to squabble over limited stocks. As a consequence of this, WELT reports that customers will likely have to pay higher prices for the bird this winter.
Marluis Gentgen from the German market monitoring company MEG told the paper: “The market for waterfowl will probably run dry for Christmas.”
The manager of a restaurant in Cologne added: “Now the restaurants are fighting for the few geese.”
Fresh geese in particular are reportedly in short supply, with frozen goods currently faring better.
But even if shoppers, as well as restauranters, can get their hands on geese this winter, they will likely to forced to pay prices much higher than usual, perhaps limiting the classic Christmas dinner to a lucky few.
Supply issues could push geese prices up by as much as 20 percent, according to market expert Mechthild Cloppenburg.
To make matters worse, imported goose meat costs are as much as 40 percent higher than last year, according to WELT.
Britain is not without its own problems when it comes to the traditional Christmas dinner.
Oliver Dowden, Conservative Party Chairman, told Sky News viewers last month that “we will make sure” people can have turkey on the table on December 25.
READ MORE: Covid ‘exit plan’ detailing end of self-isolation– 160-page doc leaked
But Graeme Dear, from the British Poultry Council, is less optimistic.
He recently told MPs that “there is a likelihood there will be a shortage [of turkey]” because of staff shortages.
Remainers tried to point the finger at Brexit, but Germany’s goose woes show this finger pointing is unjustified.
WELT reports that shortages, which are also being suffered by other countries including Poland and Hungary, are a result of bird flu and coronavirus.
DON’T MISS:
‘Fight harder!’ Tory MP urges border police to stop Channel crossings [OPINION]
Welsh indy group say Carrie handed them perfect chance to leave UK [REPORT]
Prince Charles clearing house as he prepares to take over from Queen [REVEAL]
Last month, Remainers also claimed that images of empty supermarket shelves in Britain were the direct result of Brexit.
But reports of shelves emptying in shops across Europe, including in Brussels, showed that something other than Brexit was at play.
One major contributing factor to shortages has been a lack of lorry drivers.
This too has been branded as a failure of Britain’s departure from the EU, though it seems more likely to have been exacerbated by lockdown.
Macroeconomist Philip Pilkington wrote in UnHerd that the Government’s response to Covid forced many people out of their jobs and onto a “souped-up dole”.
He added: “Many realised that the dole is better where they came from on the Continent, especially relative to the cost of living, and so they left.”
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.
Source: Read Full Article
