‘PREVENT GAS CRISIS TO SAVE OUR BACON’

CO2 shortage could hit meat supplies

SUPERMARKET shelves could soon be empty of bacon, sausages and chicken because of a carbon dioxide shortage.

Stocks of the gas could run out within two weeks, hitting production of beer and fizzy drinks as well as fried breakfasts.

CO2 is used to stun pigs and chickens before they are slaughtered for food – and pig farmers are being warned they may now have to cull animals.

Poultry producers warned the shortage “threatens national food security”.

National Pig Association chief Zoe Davies said farms were “at bursting point” due to a slaughter backlog as a result of labour shortages in abattoirs.

She warned: “Government has got to intervene. I was talking to a farmer earlier who was almost in tears at the thought of having to kill animals.”

It comes after the NPA’s Charlie Dewhirst said 70,000 pigs had already been “rolled” – where the animals are ready for slaughter but there is no means to kill them – which meant “farmers lose money and animals bred to be eaten don’t go into the food chain”.

Nick Allen, of British Meat Processors Association, said: “This could be the straw that broke the camel’s back. It is potentially a massive challenge for the food industry when we are already facing huge issues.”

CO2 is essential for producing and transporting staples such as bread and meat, as well as for putting the fizz in beer and soft drinks.

The gas is also used to treat and make water safe to drink and for sterilising hospital equipment.

The potential crisis was sparked after two large UK factories producing ammonium nitrate fertiliser – of which

CO2 is a byproduct – suspended their operations due to soaring fuel prices. Increased global demand, maintenance issues and lower solar and wind energy output are blamed for a surge in the cost of wholesale gas. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is holding talks this weekend with gas producers, suppliers and energy regulator Ofgem.

It comes as Russia is accused of rigging the price of gas to damage Britain’s economic recovery from Covid.