Crisis Talks Over Fears Of Food Shortages Within Days

Risk of more empty shelves with loss of vital CO2 supply. Concern is growing for shop supplies in Christmas run-up

- Martyn Brown

WARNINGS of massive disruption to food and drink supplies are causing alarm.

The delivery of meat, beer and fizzy drinks might be affected within days.

A carbon dioxide shortage threatens to affect stock on supermarket shelves. Britain’s supply chain is already creaking from an acute shortage of lorry drivers and the impact of Covid.

The Government last night said it was monitoring things “closely” as concerns grew over the latest disruption, worsening the situation in the run-up to Christmas.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng was due to meet with officials yesterday to discuss the situation.

A Government spokesman said: “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.

“The UK benefits from having access to highly diverse sources of gas supply to ensure households, businesses and heavy industry get the energy they need at a fair price.”

The Government last week responded to the ongoing disruption by setting up a cross-departmental group “to monitor labour supply chains”.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said: “This could be the straw that broke the camel’s back.