Since the UK’s last general election in December 2019, our temperature-controlled logistics industry has become far more widely acknowledged. We have kept the country’s food supply running throughout the pandemic, navigated the labour shortage, and continue to tackle both the energy cost hike and the impacts of implementing the new post-Brexit border systems.
As a result of the industry’s achievements under these circumstances and our work with the media, the cold chain has entered the public consciousness and has a changed relationship with the government. Overall, politicians and policymakers across all parties have a much better understanding now than five years ago about temperature-controlled logistics, why we matter, and what we need to keep delivering our crucial services to the nation.
There are a range of important policy changes the Cold Chain Federation is asking politicians to make, which would help operators tackle problems and create new opportunities. The government’s improved understanding of the cold chain is crucial to our progress in these discussions and those of the coming years. One of the Cold Chain Federation’s priorities in our work leading up to this year’s General Election is to ensure this improved recognition turns into a longer-term positive change. This is why the Cold Chain Manifesto we launched earlier this year asks those seeking to form the next government to make commitments that recognise the critical importance of the UK’s temperature-controlled logistics operators.
Specifically, we want the next government, when elected, to designate the cold chain as a Cabinet Office Ministerial portfolio. Cold chain issues are far-reaching, and responsibility resting with a single Cabinet Office Minister would provide a much-needed point of focus for cross-departmental work. It would also embed the cold chain into strategic UK resilience planning and enable rapid response to threats to the integrity of perishable supply chains, not least energy blackouts. The past five years have shown why temperature-controlled logistics should be considered critical infrastructure and why our industry experts should be at the top table for national crisis planning.
We are also asking politicians to commit to investing in measures that will support the cold chain’s resilience to the cyber-attacks which increasingly threaten the security of our food and pharmaceutical supply chains. Businesses in supply chains are attractive targets to ransomware criminals as attacking one business disrupts the whole chain. Recognition that the temperature-controlled logistics is critical infrastructure should go hand in hand with robust cyber security investment.
Working together, Government and Cold Chain Federation members can unlock the great potential of the UK’s cold chain. Our industry is in a strong position to help spur economic growth, improve food standards, support the target of a net zero economy by 2050, and respond to the changing needs of the UK population in a warming climate. Recognition of the industry’s importance and value by the next government is central to achieving these ambitions and turning exciting plans for the coming years and beyond into a reality that benefits the whole nation.
Finally, I am delighted that Nicki Hunt has joined the Cold Chain Federation as Membership Director, she is already a great asset in ensuring the highest quality services for CCF members. Look out for Nicki at Cold Chain Federation events or contact her at Nicki@coldchainfed.org.uk.
Read the full Cold Chain Manifesto at www.coldchainfederation.org.uk
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