We’ve lost our fizz!

Britain may run dry of pop and beer because of CO2 shortage

WITH the World Cup on, the picnic season here and the prospect of a barbecue summer, it is deflating news.

For Britain faces running out of beer and fizzy drinks as a result of a shortage of carbon dioxide.

The gas is also used in food production, meaning supplies of packaged meats and salads could be hit.

The threat is so serious that the Food & Drink Federation has asked the Government’s food department Defra to help businesses obtain CO2.

Some brewers have warned pubs that they are unable to supply lager or keg bitter and Wetherspoon, which has nearly 1,000 pubs, admitted: ‘There’s a good chance that some drinks won’t be available very soon.’

A spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of the situation and working with suppliers to minimise any disruption. But the fact is that there is definitely going to be a problem that will affect not just Wetherspoons but all pub and bar operators.’

Tesco’s website is showing that products including its own-label fizzy drinks, Schweppes lemonade and Dr Pepper are ‘currently unavailable’.

The gas shortage comes as pubs are hoping for an increase in trade as drinkers cheer on the England football team.

It is understood to stem from a longer than usual break in production of ammonia, one of the key sources of food grade CO2 in Europe. Trade journal Gas World said it has been described as the ‘worst supply situation to hit the European carbon dioxide business in decades’.

It said the UK is being hit particularly hard as only one major CO2 plant was operating earlier this week and imports from the Continent had been affected by the shutdown of plants in Europe. A large number of plants that handle ammonia and produce the gas have been shut for longer than expected maintenance at what is a period of peak demand.

The journal said many CO2 users, especially beer and soft drinks firms, are desperate for supplies, with the shortage likely to last at least until the end of the month.

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said the CO2 crisis is already stopping beer production. ‘Given the time of year and the World Cup, this situation has arisen at an unfortunate time for the brewing industry,’ she said.

Sales of alcohol and soft drinks were also expected to be boosted by the forecast of a hot summer.

But the British Poultry Council said the threat of disrupted food supplies is more serious than any beer shortage.

It warned that up to 60 per cent of the UK’s poultry processing plants could be halted within days as CO2 is used in both the slaughtering and packaging processes.

Chief executive Richard Griffiths said: ‘We have never seen anything like this before, and it’s a situation that has become very serious very quickly. Some of our members have as little as a day’s supply of the gas left, while others have no more than a week or two.’

‘We have asked the Government to prioritise us and help keep the supply chain moving in order to avoid any knock-on effects in the longer term regarding animal welfare and gaps in food supply.’

The British Meat Processors Association said it was ‘very concerned’. Deputy director Fiona Steiger said: ‘Supply is running out and it’s pretty tight for some people. We don’t know when supplies will be back up. We’ve been told it could be about a month.’

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers said it will meet Defra and the Food Standards Agency to discuss the implications for the food chain.

The Food & Drink Federation has called on the Government to get involved. Defra said yesterday: ‘The Government is aware that there are reports of a CO2 shortage affecting the food and drink sector, and that industry is working to find a solution.

‘Whilst this is an issue for industry, the Government is in contact with the relevant companies and trade associations, including those within the food and drink sector and main CO2 suppliers.’

However, the shortage of keg beer is being seen as an opportunity by some – the Campaign for Real Ale is using it to highlight the benefits of cask ale, real cider and perry, which are naturally carbonated and do not need added fizz, meaning supplies will be unaffected.

‘It will hit all pubs and bars’