Government was warned weeks ago over food shortages and ‘emergency changes are needed’

The PA news agency was told by a poultry industry source that the government was warned last month that the food supply chain would be hit due to EU worker rules and logistic issues.

The source said, “We raised this issue with government many weeks ago and nothing significant has happened since, so it is clearly not going away.

“We need new workers to come on board to cope with this demand, and while Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have been helpful, the issue is with the Home Office.

“There are shortages fluctuating between 10% and 20% of staff, so we need some emergency changes get workers overseas who can fill this gap.”

Supply issues has hit major UK restaurants as there is a shortage in chicken and Nando’s have seconded around 70 staff to suppliers to help with the issues.

However, industry sources have said this “will not touch the sides” and an industry executive warned of the “complexity” of requirements for products ordered by companies such as KFC and Nando’s.

A Nando’s spokeswoman said, “The UK food industry has been experiencing disruption across its supply chain in recent weeks due to staff shortages and a number of our restaurants have been impacted.

“However, since Monday, a team of our brilliant Nandocas have been supporting our key suppliers onsite – working in partnership to help get things moving again, and this has already had a positive impact on affected restaurants.

“From this Saturday, as a result of the hard work behind the scenes, it is our intention that all of our restaurants will be open again, and all our customers can enjoy their favourite peri-peri chicken.”