[Irish Times] Britain could run out of food by this time next year if it cannot maintain the flow of goods after Brexit, that country’s National Farmers’ Union has said. After it emerged that Teresa May’s government was drawing up plans to stockpile food in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the British Retail Consortium and drug manufacturers issued more warnings about possible supply shortages.

Of those already stockpiling food, the most popular items include staples such as flour, olive oil, dried pasta, rice, powdered milk, coffee and tinned items such as tomatoes and sardines. Other "luxuries" such as chocolate, and over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers and antihistamines feature too.

Here are some of the reasons for stockpiling and views on the practicalities of putting together an "insurance policy" in the larder.

’THE PROBABILITY IS TINY BUT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE TRULY TERRIBLE’
I am trying to do my best to avoid political rhetoric and look only at facts. While I still have faith that the people behind the politicians, the civil servants, industry leaders, lawyers and indeed the administrators of the EU are working hard to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the facts around reverting to WTO regulations leave me concluding that April 2019 could be a very sensible time to be self-sufficient, so I’m already stockpiling.

My first purchase was an additional shelving rack for the garage and several plastic storage crates, to ensure the "Brexit supplies" are kept separately to everyday food. Each time I go to a supermarket, 2-3 times a week, I am doubling up on all non-perishable or long-date items and throwing a few extras into the trolley. So far I’ve bought mainly tinned goods: soup, different types of beans, tuna and sardines, chopped tomatoes. Also, jars of olives, capers and lots of dried pasta. I plan to spend around £100 a month until we know more about what might happen in March. The chest freezer will be filled with meat, but at the moment I’m looking to ensure we have the absolute basics rather than luxuries. I have also bought flour, yeast etc and will endeavour to learn to bake bread. I have bought ibuprofen, toothpaste and toilet paper as part of doubling up on non-perishable goods. In the event that food supplies are not affected, I will donate any stockpiled items to food banks. So far, my one "luxury" touch is three-packs of Boost chocolate bars at £1 each and with long dates.