Food supply chain issues as 42% of CO2 halted in the UK

The government has been questioned on what it will do after CF fertiliser firm in the North East halted ammonia production which also means CO2 is stopped.

This plant is a huge producer of the gas that goes into things like can and bottled drinks, and is also needed to keep meats and other things fresh.

The plant supplies 42% of its CO2 to the UK so it’s a big deal for the government to sort out, although only a temporary halt to production will mean safety issues and temporary delays in fizzy drink production.

A similar event occurred last year and the government stepped in just in time

MP Sir Robert Goodwill has sent a letter to MP George Eustice which you can read here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/28463/documents/171356/default/

Commenting on the correspondence, Rt Hon Sir Robert Goodwill MP, Chair of the EFRA Committee, said:   

“Recent reports that CF Fertiliser will be halting production of ammonia are worrying, given the knock-on impacts this decision will have on CO2 production in the UK. Any disruption to CO2 supply could have serious effects on food production, national food security, and animal welfare.”