LONDON, 17 September Reuters - The meat industry warned that an impending shortage of carbon dioxide CO 2 could cause massive disruption in food supplies within two weeks.
The gas is used to stun animals before slaughter, in the vacuum packing of food products to extend shelf life and to put the fizz in beer, cider and soft drinks.
It is also used for some medical procedures and requirements are required in the nuclear and semi-conductor industries.
Britain's food supply chain, already creaking from an acute shortage of heavy goods vehicles HGV driver and the impact of Brexit and COVID - 19, is heavily dependent on fertiliser producers for CO 2 which are a by-product of their production process.
However, two of the largest fertiliser producers, Norwegian Yara and rival CF Industries Holdings, have curbed production due to a surge in natural gas prices, which has in turn started to dry CO 2 supplies.
Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association BMPA said that once current stocks of the gas run out some meat companies will have to stop taking animals and close production lines, leading to a logjam of animals back to farms.
We already have this situation in the pig industry which faces the imminent prospect of a humane culling on farms, said he.
The BMPA is lobbying Kwasi Kwarteng Minister of Business to contribute the UK CO2 production in the short-term.
We are monitoring this situation closely and are in regular contact with the food and farming organisations and industry, to help them manage the current situation, said a UK government spokesperson.
The UK benefits from having access to several sources of gas supply to ensure households, businesses and heavy industry get the energy they need at a fair price. Britain endured a major CO 2 shortage in 2018 with some drinks wholesalers forced to ration sales.