CLIVE Efford, the MP who introduced a bill proposing government work towards banning HFCs from supermarket refrigeration, has set up a meeting between retailers and government to discuss the issue.
The MP has invited representatives from the supermarket industry including Marks & Spencer's and the authors of an Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) report to attend a meeting with Whitehall officials this month.

Clive Efford introduced a 10 minute rule bill in parliament at the end of June, which pushed for the eradication of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). The MP told ACR News he did not expect the introduction of a backbench bill so late in the parliamentary session to be made law. Read Efford's speech in parliament.

Efford said: 'I introduced the bill to present the case for the eradication of HFCs which is an easy win for a government keen to cut the UK's CO2 emissions. The fact that the supermarket industry are willing to make changes to stop using toxic, climate-changing chemicals helps'.

His stance was sparked by the EIA report 'Chilling Facts' which criticised supermarkets for their lack of green credentials.

The MP for Eltham and Plumstead said: 'I'm focusing on the large UK supermarkets chains. In the long-term, I'd like to see the eradication of the use of HFCs in supermarket refrigeration. Once we start to deal with HFCs, we will have to look at all its uses. In terms of air-conditioning and other sectors'.

Efford said: 'When challenged, the supermarkets said they would support a move by government to eradicate HFCs from supermarket refrigeration, if a level playing field was created through legislation which would make all competitors in the industry comply too'.

He added: 'The best outcome I would like to see emerge from this meeting would be the government accepting this is an area that requires legislation and agreeing to have a planned approach'.