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Victoria Prentis, the Minister of state at Defra, addresses the reception guests

UK: The “critical importance” of the cold chain and the industry’s work during the Covid pandemic was recognised at a reception in the House of Commons last week.

Representatives of the UK cold chain joined ministers and MPs at the reception hosted by Andrew Jones, the MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough on behalf of the Cold Chain Federation.

As well as recognising work during the pandemic, the reception also provided an opportunity for the industry to talk with politicians about the vital role cold chain businesses will play in meeting the challenges and opportunities ahead for the UK economy.

Addressing those present, Victoria Prentis, the minister of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Your industry is critically important to absolutely everyone, and that’s become all the more important throughout the pandemic. The cold chain has shown extraordinary flexibility and dedication. The industry dealt with every challenge that it faced and we look forward to continuing to work alongside you.”

Sharon Mughal, the Cold Chain Federation’s membership director, with reception host Andrew Jones MP

Referring to the industry’s achievements during the pandemic, host Andrew Jones said: “If this industry did not function in an efficient, high quality way our nation would grind to a halt. It also has a huge role in the challenges facing us, particularly food waste and carbon reduction.” 

“Our industry has achieved so much together in the past three years, this was a great way to come together to celebrate our hardworking people, resilient businesses and ability to innovate under pressure,” commented Tim Moran, Cold Chain Federation president and senior vice president operations Europe at Lineage Logistics.

Cold Chain Federation president Tim Moran

“It was also an important opportunity to reinforce to politicians the cold chain’s importance in the UK’s future, at a time that is full of change for the nation, for the economy and for our industry,” he added. 

In addition to Victoria Prentis and Andrew Jones, politicians in attendance included SNP spokesperson for environment food and rural affairs Deidre Brock, Sir Robert Goodwill, Andrew Bridgen, Clive Betts, Mark Fletcher, Dr Kieran Mullan, Sir Mike Penning, Chris Clarkson, Laurence Robertson, Alicia Kearns and Baroness McIntosh.

More than 90 leaders of UK cold storage and temperature-controlled distribution business industry were in attendance.

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