Ensuring the cold chain’s voice is heard

In this general election year, the Cold Chain Federation has been examining afresh how government policy can best support the ambitions of the UK cold chain. Major policy shifts over the past few years are substantially affecting how temperature-controlled logistics businesses operate, and many pre-Covid, pre-energy crisis, pre-Brexit policies are in need of revision to meet the changed needs of today and tomorrow.

As the politicians who hope to be elected or re-elected to government refine their pitch to the public and their plans for future policies, we are ensuring that consideration of the great potential of our industry is part of this process. We have launched The Cold Chain: The Vital Link to Turbocharging UK Growth & Security, our manifesto for success in partnership with Government which we are taking to politicians of all parties as well as to the peers in the House of Lords, to the elected mayors and to civil service officials.

We are asking political parties to commit to a series of policies that will support the cold chain. These include greater investment in our nation’s transport and logistics infrastructure and recognition that cold stores are a critical element of the UK. This also needs to be reflected in the planning system as well as preparations for natural disasters or cyber-attacks.

We are also asking for a clear strategy for overcoming grid capacity restrictions at logistics sites, and a specific freight roadmap to Net Zero. The Cold Chain Manifesto sets out why the next Government should offer grant-based support for trials or adoption of lower emission TRU technologies, and proposes that Government and industry work together to review the commonly held temperature setpoints for frozen food storage and distribution.

The inclusion of responsibility for the cold chain within the portfolio of a single Government Minister would create the focus required to spearhead cross-departmental work and help ensure fulfilment of our industry’s great potential benefits for businesses, consumers, and public health. Of course the UK cold chain’s great potential can only become reality if our industry has access to the people and skills to meet the nation’s future needs. Our Cold Chain Manifesto seeks development of a cohesive plan to ease shortages. It also urges the next Government to develop the future EU import model and global trade agreements to ensure smooth flows, and to apply rate relief for cold store operators.

CCF is working to create a post-election policy environment that supports our industry’s ambitions by ensuring that the next Government forms its policies with a full understanding of the enormous contribution that the UK cold chain can make for the nation. Our industry is not only key to food supply, but also has the potential to play a major role in spurring economic growth, a net zero economy, greater resilience in energy supply, helping tackle the cost of living crisis, and improving health and healthcare. CCF is ensuring the cold chain’s voice is heard in Westminster and throughout the UK over the course of 2024 and beyond.