The federation is asking UK political parties to commit to the policies detailed in the Cold Chain Manifesto, enabling the industry to amplify its crucial contributions to the national economy, environment, and health. The Cold Chain Federation is the voice of the UK cold chain industry, estimated to be worth over £8.5 billion and with growth to £12.5 billion by 2028.
Cold Chain Federation President Paul Bennell said: “Our nation relies on the UK’s professional, resilient and reliable temperature-controlled logistics operators for food and medicine every day of the year and we are an industry with a strong vision for the future, investing in emerging technologies and state-of the-art facilities. Working together, Government and industry can unlock the cold chain’s great potential to help spur growth, improve food standards, and make important contributions towards net zero. The Cold Chain Manifesto we launch today sets out how this can be achieved. We will seek commitments to these actions from all political parties to support our industry.”
The Cold Chain Manifesto sets out a range of priority policies across five areas:
- Recognising the Value of the Cold Chain – seeking an increase in investment into our nation's transport and logistics infrastructure to improve the efficiency and resilience of the cold chain and reduce costs for businesses and consumers; and designating the cold chain to a Cabinet Office Ministerial portfolio.
- Driving Cold Chain Sustainability and Enhancing Energy Efficiency – facilitating Net Zero Cold Chains by tackling overchilling in the frozen supply chain, harnessing the potential of renewable energy and increasing support for energy efficiency.
- Enabling Emission-free Transport Refrigeration – supporting operators to bridge the enhanced capital cost of emerging technologies and overcoming grid connection challenges to enable the installation of charging infrastructure.
- Developing the Next Generation of Cold Chain Talent – renewing focus on skills and training for the cold chain workforce, to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly complex industry.
Read the full Manifesto ‘Cold Chain: The Vital Link to Turbocharging UK Growth & Security’ at www.coldchainfederation.org.uk/download/ccf-general-election-manifesto/.
Cold Chain Federation chief executive Phil Pluck said: “The UK cold chain is buoyant and ever evolving with fantastic potential for sustainable growth, but there are some significant challenges to overcome if we are to be able to achieve that ambition. Temperature-controlled logistics is at a crossroads, and the Cold Chain Federation will be making sure that our industry’s voice is heard as politicians and officials set out their strategies and plans for the future. The Cold Chain Manifesto we launch today is an important tool in our work on behalf of CCF members.”
Amanda Cogan, chief operating officer of Magnavale, said: “In the right policy environment, the UK cold chain has exciting scope for sustainable growth that will benefit the nation in multiple ways. The policies proposed in the Cold Chain Manifesto would support us in turning this potential into reality. For example, a clear Government strategy for overcoming grid capacity restrictions at logistics sites would enable cold stores to boost investment into green energy, and a cohesive and forward-looking plan for the labour market would be invaluable in developing the skills and talent needed for the cold chain’s future.”