UK meat industry warns some firms have just five days CO2 supply

Some of Britain's meat processors will run out of carbon dioxide within five days, forcing them to halt production, the head of the industry's lobby group warned on Monday.

Some of Britain's meat processors will run out of carbon dioxide within five days, forcing them to halt production, the head of the industry's lobby group warned on Monday. A jump in gas prices has forced several domestic energy suppliers out of business and has shut fertilizer plants that also produce carbon dioxide (CO2), used to stun animals before slaughter and prolong the shelf-life of food.

The shortage of CO2 also used to put the fizz in beer, cider, and soft drinks has compounded an acute shortage of truck drivers in the UK, which has been blamed on the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit. "My members are saying anything between five, ten, and 15 days supply," Nick Allen of the British Meat Processors Association told Sky News.

With no CO2 the processor cannot operate he said.