Written question asked by Lord Fuller (Conservative) on Monday, 13 April 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 April 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food Security: Chemicals

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on food security, including food packaging in protective atmospheres, of (1) the limitations of domestic production of the chemical precursors ammonia, carbon dioxide and ethylene, and (2) the disruption to the supply chain of those chemicals caused by the Iran conflict.

Answer: Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor any risks to our food system that may arise. At present, the conflict in the Middle East is not causing significant impacts to the supply of food to consumers, and the Government does not expect any short-term disruption. The Government will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary steps. The Government has shored up the UK’s critical supplies of CO2, vital for Britain’s packaged meats and fresh food and for the nuclear and healthcare sectors, by temporarily restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Wilton, Teesside. This action forms part of wider Government work designed to ensure the UK maintains access to its critical industrial inputs during global supply shocks, such as the ongoing Iran conflict. The Government is also taking steps to diversify the UK’s long term CO2 supply, to strengthen UK resilience and reduce future reliance on imports. Defra will work with industry on our long-term plan to secure resilience in the sector.

Secondary information