Last week External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said that maintaining a good relationship with France would be a key aim for Jersey in the post-Brexit world and developing a stronger supply chain with the Continent to replace those with the UK, could be part of that work.
Mark Cox, chief executive of the Channel Island Co-operative Society, welcomed the prospect of a strong southern supply route but admitted there would be hurdles to overcome.
‘We would definitely be interested in anything which could help improve our range of products from France,’ he said.
‘We would be interested in expanding our range of products across the board, from fresh foods to ambient products.
‘But we would need to see an increase in freight capacity and the number of boats delivering supplies from France to make that happen.’
He added: ‘There are restrictions due to local legislation that labelling needs to be in English and that would be a challenge and would need to be reviewed.
‘And the exchange rate would be a risk. It has been very bad since Brexit and that would have to be taken into account – we would not want to be bringing in products which are poor value for Jersey customers.’
Tony O’Neill, Sandpiper executive chairman, agreed that the exchange rate and labelling would be a problem.
He added that it would also take time to establish new supply routes.
‘While we note the conversations with French suppliers to include goods coming into the Island from Brittany or Normandy, it takes time to build relationships with suppliers,’ he said.
‘There are currently no freight companies operating chilled daily deliveries to the Island from continental Europe, the exchange rate would make goods considerably more expensive than they are at present and packaging would need to be altered to conform with local requirements.’
