British MPs voted last week to force the government to publish the details of "Operation Yellowhammer", developed in the event of a Brexit without agreement. It's done now. The report released Wednesday (September 11th) estimates that the threat of congestion at ports could lead to shortages of medicines and food.

"The state of readiness of the public and the market sector (...) will remain low (...) because of the absence of a clear vision on the form of the exit of the European Union", according to the documents.

In the event of a Brexit without agreement, the UK authorities foresee short-term disruptions in 12 key areas, including water supply and food, health, transport and borders, as well as the possibility of "public disorder".

Gibraltar particularly affected

The British project to remove controls at the Irish border "would probably be unsustainable due to significant economic, legal and biosecurity risks", according to this document, which suggests the possibility of the emergence of a black market in border communities.

The crossing of the English Channel could be singularly disturbed, with traffic potentially reduced from 40% to 60%. Heavy lorries may have to wait up to two and a half days before crossing the Channel and nationals may be subject to increased controls at ports and airports.

These disruptions could last for three months and could have consequences for the supply of medicines and fresh produce and could lead to major displacements throughout the United Kingdom and even riots.

Gibraltar could be particularly affected because of the implementation of customs controls at its border with Spain.

The government updates the document

Clashes could also break out in fishing areas between British and foreign fishermen, the report says.

The government stressed that it was "updating" the document. "He describes what could happen in the worst case," said Brexit Minister Michael Gove.

But these warnings are putting additional pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has promised to carry out Brexit by 31 October, with or without an agreement with the European Union. He suffered a new setback on Wednesday when Scottish justice declared "illegal" the controversial parliamentary suspension until 14 October.

With AFP and Reuters