On Tuesday 21 September we joined other representatives from the UK’s food supply chain in an emergency summit to decide a course of action.
What is NFU Cymru calling for?
NFU Cymru Deputy President Aled Jones said:
“While it’s good to hear there may be an agreement in principle that production at the fertiliser factories may restart, with resulting CO2 supplies, it’s important this restart is meaningful and sustained. Users of carbon dioxide were given little to no warning that supplies were going to be cut off – an indication of market failure in a sector supporting our critical national infrastructure. Urgent clarity is needed on the detail, including timings and volumes established in the agreement.”
Carbon dioxide supplies are of critical importance in the food industry, which includes:
- Protecting animal welfare in processing
- Avoiding knock on impacts on farm
- Maintaining production of glasshouse fruit and vegetables to avoid mothballing production
Mr Jones added:
“The UK food supply chain has so far done a fantastic job keeping our shelves full, but these past few days have highlighted starkly the fragility in the supply chain. It is something government must not take for granted and I want us to use this moment to ensure we all understand what’s at stake.
“Last week at Back British Farming Day we repeated our ask for government to place the same value on British food and its production standards as the British people do. We are currently 60% self-sufficient in food and our current situation demonstrates the need for strategic policies that bolster domestic food production. Food shortages are a clear and present danger which ministers must work urgently with the whole supply chain to avoid.
“I want to work with government and the rest of the UK supply chain to learn the lessons from what we have seen this week to not only maintain our domestic food production but to have an ambition for growth and safeguard Britain’s food security.”
The industry bodies who took part in the emergency summit alongside the NFU include:
- APS Group
- Association of Independent Crop Consultants
- Association of Independent Meat Suppliers
- Avara
- Billingtons
- British Egg Industry Council
- British Meat Processors Association
- British Poultry Council
- British Veterinary Association
- Food and Drink Federation
- Hook 2 Sisters Food Group
- Kelly’s Turkeys
- Kepak
- M&S Maelor
- Morrisons
- Moy Park
- Muller
- National Pig Association
- NFU Cymru
- NFU Scotland
- Noble Foods
- Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association
- Pilgrims
- Provision Trade Federation
- Sainsburys
- Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers
- Sodexo
- Tesco
- Thanet Earth
- Traditional Norfolk Poultry
- Ulster Farmers Union
- Waitrose
CF Fertilisers: What you need to know
We are seeking urgent clarification from CF Fertilisers on its suspension of fertiliser production. We are also engaging with the supply chain and our members to assess the current situation and understand the likely impacts, not just for supply and delivery of fertilisers but also the significant pressure it puts on CO2 supply for the meat processing sector.
As news broke on Friday 17 September, NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw, pictured above, said:
"The NFU is aware of reports that ammonia nitrate manufacturer CF Fertilisers is suspending production of fertilisers at its sites in Billingham and Ince because of high energy prices.
“We are seeking urgent clarification from CF and have already engaged with the wider supply chain and our members to assess the current situation on farm and across the supply chain, to understand the likely impacts a shortage of ammonia nitrogen will have now and on future crops and to identify potential solutions.
“This news will be of immense concern to farmers. Due to the recent high price of fertilisers, some growers will not yet have placed orders or taken delivery of much-needed fertilisers. The timing of reducing artificial fertiliser supply is particularly unfortunate just as Defra reinforces strict rules on the use of organic manures.
“In addition, a direct consequence of these fertiliser plants closing is the significant pressure it puts on CO2 supply. This shortage is already having serious implications for food production which will continue over the coming days and weeks, putting added strain on a food supply chain already under significant pressure due to lack of labour.
“This issue highlights the fragility of the UK food system and by extension the vulnerability of UK food security. It has never been more important for all government departments to recognise and value British food and farming.”