Supply Chain Disruption

I spoke to the Cabinet Office recently to catch up on supply chain issues. A short note below which captures the key points

1. Energy Disruption

• Government is assessing the possible impact of energy disruption on the economy
• BEIS will liaise with the retail sector to understand possible concerns
• Government will assess potential impact across the economy and consider if it is possible to mitigate
• There will be an opportunity to highlight your concerns
• Likelihood is no further decisions until end of November but no guarantees anything would change in terms of prioritisation of energy
• However, Government best worst case scenario is disruption would affect later in the Winter

• Government analysing supply chains for range of critical chemicals
• Analysis should show where vulnerabilities are and if they can be addressed
• On CO2 discussions continue with the key producer
• Government conscious of both price and availability issues around CO2 and is monitoring the market for CO2
• Members may be aware we submitted evidence to the EFRA Committee on food security which includes reference to CO2 and I’ll be giving oral evidence in early November which is an opportunity to raise these issues

• We continue to push Government to act on avian flu to reduce the risk of transmission and loss of poultry in the run up to Christmas
• Cabinet Office has agreed to speak to Defra to find out what is happening with a decision on a housing order (currently only parts of East Anglia are covered)
• CO also aware of the potential strike by meat inspectors (ballot closes 31/10) and are working with FSA to understand the potential impact and contingency plans, we’ll also speak to FSA