Industry warns of cold chain threats

UK: The Cold Chain Federation has called on the government to take immediate action to establish a robust food and pharmaceutical resilience plan for the UK. 

In an open letter to Daniel Zeichner MP, minister of state for food security and rural affairs, the Federation highlights critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chains, exacerbated by global issues and the ongoing climate crisis.

It calls on the government to designate the cold chain as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) to enable closer collaboration and protect national resilience. 

The Cold Chain Federation insists that it is not seeking government funding but rather a collaborative partnership to safeguard the UK’s essential supply chains.

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, it maintains that nearly 50% of the UK’s food is imported, underscoring the reliance on a resilient cold chain for national security and public health.

“Our sector is the backbone of the UK’s food and pharmaceutical supply, yet we lack a coherent national resilience plan,” said Cold Chain Federation CEO Phil Pluck. “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.”

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.

It also cites incidences of increased trade restrictions, geopolitical unrest, and climate incidents creating unprecedented uncertainty in global perishable goods movement and making UK food imports and exports highly vulnerable.

The lack of prioritisation for cold stores during energy blackouts is also seen as a “severe” risk, alongside raised concerns about cyber crime.

In addition to designating the cold chain as Critical National Infrastructure, the Cold Chain Federation seeks a place on the Food and Drink Sector Council and calls for a ministerial portfolio within the cabinet office to recognise the cross-departmental nature of the cold chain.

Without seeking government funding, the Federation requests support in pressuring grid operators to resolve connection issues that hinder investment in self-sufficient renewable installations.