Meat processors warn of gaps in food resilience plans

Meat industry leaders have questioned whether government resilience plans adequately protect processing capacity and the livestock farms that depend on it.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) and British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) raised concerns following a National Audit Office (NAO) review of the UK’s preparedness for major food supply disruption.

See also: UK food supply faces growing disruption risks

The watchdog found no individual food supply chain assets are currently included in the government’s Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base, potentially limiting its ability to prioritise key sites during an emergency, including when restoring electricity.

BMPA technical operations director David Lindars said: “If the abattoir and cutting plant has no power, fresh and frozen meat will start to decay rapidly.

“Because refrigeration is part of critical regulations that must be followed, the FSA would be heavily involved. Without refrigeration, plants would not be able to operate.”

Mr Lindars added that the consequences for pigs and poultry would be immediate.

“Animals would be backing up at farm level.

“Sheep and cattle can be held on farms; however, it depends on how long,” he added.

He also questioned whether processors had been sufficiently involved in government planning.

“If they have a plan, they haven’t shared any information with the industry,” he said.

Abattoir network

Aims head of communication Tony Goodger said every abattoir should be regarded as strategically important, regardless of size or location.

“All fresh food supply chains are fragile due to their just-in-time delivery schedules,” he said.

“Any disruption to any element of those supply chains, be it on or at farm, during transportation or at the abattoir, has a direct cost implication for the primary producer.”

Aims called for the Defra-led Food Chain Resilience Forum, used during the Covid pandemic, to operate on an ongoing basis to improve preparedness.

“The country must be ahead of a crisis before it happens and not end up having to be reactive and wasting valuable time at the outset,” Mr Goodger said.

Cold-chain risk

Cold Chain Federation chief executive Phil Pluck told an NAO webinar that 50% of UK food passes through the cold chain, with storage concentrated across 460 warehouses and more than 100,000 temperature-controlled vehicles.

He said recognising key facilities as critical infrastructure could help keep them operating during emergencies, including through priority restoration of power or access to fuel.

“What we don’t want is three million meals, or the equivalent of, in one warehouse, going to waste,” he said.

Defra response

Defra said it considers the whole of the food supply chain in its approach to emergency preparedness and resilience and works closely with the cabinet office and other lead government departments for Critical National Infrastructure sectors to ensure food supply is fully incorporated in planning for a wide range of scenarios, including power outage and fuel disruption.

A spokesperson added: “The prime minister has made clear that food security is national security.

“The NAO’s report shows risks to food supplies are becoming more complex, which is exactly why we are working with farmers and the food and drink industry to strengthen the UK’s food security and resilience.”