Group demands support for European cold chain
13th April 2024
BELGIUM: A group of national and international trade associations representing well over 5,000 European logistics companies has issued a call to action to support the European cold chain.
According to the group, the call to action, published in advance of this year’s European parliamentary elections, seeks to ensure “that politicians and policymakers recognise the vital and specific role that refrigerated warehousing and transport play in underpinning the European economy and way of life and understand how their decisions can ensure the cold chain continues to succeed in the years ahead”.
The group of 10 national and international trade associations comprises the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Asociacion de Explotaciones Frigorficas Logisticas y Distribucion de Espana (Spain), BE Cold (Belgium), European Cold Storage and Logistics Association, Greek Cold Storage and Logistics Association, La Chaine Logistique Du Froid (France), Schweiz Verband für Kühl- und Tiefkühl-Logistik (Switzerland), Transfrigoroute International), Verband Deutscher Kuehlhaeuser & Kühllogistikunternehmen (Germany) and Vereniging Van Nederlandse Koel- En Vrieshuize (Netherlands).
Maintaining that the cold chain is vital to the European economy and way of life, GCCA director of Europe Julie Hanson said: “In recent years, we have proved just how resilient our sector is. Storage and transportation professionals ensured Europeans were fed during the pandemic and the energy crisis. During this time, policymakers have realised they can’t take supply chains for granted. Our call to action shows how they can support future success and resilience in our perishable goods supply chains.”
The document Delivering a Sustainable, Resilient Perishable Goods Supply Chain sets out four key priorities for Europe for which a successful cold chain will play a vital role: supporting a resilient and sustainable food system; thriving in a decarbonised European energy system, enabling trade and economic growth and providing jobs for today and tomorrow.
It contains a series of policy proposals underpinning each of these themes, and the supporting associations will use this statement as a basis for engaging with MEPs and officials throughout the election period and in the new European Parliament.
