Border closure could lead to gaps on supermarket shelves
UK supermarkets have warned that gaps may start to appear on shelves within days after France closed its borders to UK freight traffic.
The blanket ban on arrivals from the UK came on Sunday amid concern at the spread of a new variant of coronavirus. Several other countries have also banned arrivals from the UK.
Around 10,000 lorries a day usually travel between Dover and Calais at peak periods such as Christmas, largely bringing in fresh produce.
France has not banned lorries from travelling into the UK from France, but there is a risk that European hauliers will not want to enter the country if they cannot return home.
Boris Johnson to hold urgent meeting as Port of Dover closes
France has closed the border to the UK for at least 48 hours
Updated
Lorries leave a ferry at the port of Dover in Kent
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Video report by ITV News Business and Economics Editor Joel Hills
The French Government has said that in the next few hours it will establish a protocol to ensure that movement from the UK can resume .
In a post shared on Twitter by the French Embassy in the UK, French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said: In the next few hours, at European level, we’re going to establish a solid health protocol to ensure that movement from the UK can resume. Our priority: to protect our nationals and our fellow citizens.
ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand said that the French President Emmanuel Macron may require people to present proof of a negative Covid test once the borders are opened.
BBC News
By Daniel Thomas
image copyrightGetty Images
Retailers have played down fears of food shortages after France shut its borders to UK hauliers for 48 hours due to the UK s new coronavirus variant.
But they warned of serious disruption without a resolution, with Tesco and Sainsbury s saying some fresh produce such as lettuce could run short.
The prime minister s spokesman said the UK had a diverse food supply chain.
The risk is European hauliers will avoid the UK for fear of getting stranded in the country. Poses difficulties
The head of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), Ian Wright, said the border closure had the potential to cause serious disruption to UK Christmas fresh food supplies - and exports of UK food and drink .