This week Vivergo, one of the two major UK bioethanol and CO2 producers, issued an ultimatum to government to provide a bailout or see the ‘imminent closure’ of its plant. If no agreement can be reached, Vivergo will start the wind-up process on Monday 14 August.
They have asked that losses are covered from that date, and support is given to return to profitability. However, the government response, which was to recruit “external consultants to provide a full appraisal and due diligence of the plans” suggests that no such support will be forthcoming.
Because the new UK/US trade deal allows an import quota of cheap US bioethanol equivalent to everything that’s currently produced in the UK, this would effectively mean the government subsidising all UK production which doesn’t seem likely.
For food and drink manufacturers this means tighter CO2 gas supplies starting this autumn.
We are the UKs largest trade body for the meat industry and provide expert advice on trade issues, bespoke technical advice and access to government policy makers
We are proud to count businesses of all sizes and specialties as members. They range from small, family run abattoirs serving local customers to the largest meat processing companies responsible for supplying some of our best-loved brands to shops and supermarkets.
We are further strengthened by our associate Members who work in industries that support and supply our meat processing companies.
We are the voice of the British meat industry.
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