Cold Chain Federation Urges UK Government to Prioritise Food and Pharmaceutical Resilience Amidst Growing Threats

The Cold Chain Federation has today issued an urgent open letter to Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, calling for immediate action to establish a robust food and pharmaceutical resilience plan for the UK. The Federation highlights critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chains, exacerbated by global issues and the ongoing climate crisis.

The letter stresses that over 50% of all food consumed in the UK is chilled or frozen, making the cold chain’s infrastructure—comprising approximately 450 temperature-controlled warehouses and 100,000 temperature-controlled vehicles—critical national infrastructure^.  Additionally, nearly 50% of the UK’s food is imported, underscoring the reliance on a resilient cold chain for national security and public health^.

Phil Pluck, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, stated: “Our sector is the backbone of the UK’s food and pharmaceutical supply, yet we lack a coherent national resilience plan. The lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, where our workers bravely kept the nation supplied, must not be forgotten. We need immediate recognition of the cold chain as Critical National Infrastructure to properly safeguard the UK against future crises.

The Federation’s letter outlines several pressing issues and pressures:

• Food Insecurity: Citing a recent report by Professor Tim Lang for the National Preparedness Commission, the Cold Chain Federation warns that the UK has no plan to feed its citizens during a crisis, potentially leading to civil unrest within days if food supplies are compromised^.
• Global Food Supplies: Increased trade restrictions, geopolitical unrest, and climate incidents are creating unprecedented uncertainty in global perishable goods movement, making UK food imports and exports highly vulnerable^.
• Climate Effects: Declining UK food productivity due to climate change necessitates a stronger focus on perishable goods storage. Furthermore, climate change poses a threat to temperature-controlled facilities through compromised grid supplies and pressure on refrigeration systems^,
• Energy Grid Supplies: Cold stores are energy-intensive, operating at temperatures as low as -25°C for food and -80°C for critical vaccines. The lack of prioritisation for cold stores during energy blackouts poses a severe risk, as chilled and frozen products can spoil within hours. While the industry is investing in renewable energy, grid connection issues hinder further progress^.
• Cyber Crime: As seen with recent incidents affecting major retailers, remain a growing threat that could compromise national food and pharma supply if critical companies are simultaneously targeted^.

The Cold Chain Federation is calling on the government to:

• Designate the cold chain as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI): This would enable closer collaboration to protect national resilience.
• Include the Cold Chain Federation on the Food and Drink Sector Council: The Federation’s expertise in sustainability, net zero advancements, and food supply resilience is crucial for the Council’s work streams
• Provide cross-departmental recognition: The Federation seeks a ministerial portfolio within the Cabinet Office to recognise the cross-departmental nature of the cold chain
• Support faster adoption of independent renewable energy sources: Without seeking government funding, the Federation requests support in pressuring grid operators to resolve connection issues that hinder investment in self-sufficient renewable installations

The Cold Chain Federation emphasised that it is not seeking government funding but rather a collaborative partnership to safeguard the UK’s essential supply chains. The organisation is ready to work with the government to rapidly develop and implement a viable food and pharmaceutical resilience plan.

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