Supermarket boss says CO2 shortages must be dealt with ‘quickly’  

The managing director of a major British supermarket chain has said ongoing CO2 shortages must be sorted out “quickly”.

Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, told BBC Radio 4 that he was “not entirely sure” about who was best placed to solve the issue, but that the government must prioritise dealing with it.

He said: “Defra says they are working closely with the food industry, we haven’t heard anything.”

He also indicated that what was already a “serious issue” could be exacerbated by factors such as the shortage of HGV drivers. Previously in a Twitter post on Sunday, Walker has said: “Surely matters of national security should be state-controlled?”

The shortage of CO2 is a result of the closure of two large fertiliser plants – which produce 60% of the UK’s supply of CO2 as a byproduct.

CO2 is used to stun animals prior to slaughter, for meat processing and storage and in the production of beer and fizzy drinks. It is also used in surgical procedures.