September 27, 2021

UK meat production at risk of stalling due to CO2 shortage

The United Kingdom is facing a shortage of CO2 in the food and beverage industry, with current stocks of the gas estimated to run out by October 1, according to a press release from the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).

If this happens, some slaughterhouses will have to stop taking animals and close production lines, leading to a logjam of animals back to the farm, which could mean having to humanely cull animals on farms.

The UK food supply chain relies on a small number of major fertiliser producers for their CO2, a byproduct of the process.

BMPA is calling on the government to more closely regulate and monitor the CO2 market to avoid future shortages and disruptions.

- BMPA.