England followers face a World Cup with out beer as Iran conflict threatens key ingredient
Iran war threatens supplies of carbon dioxide which propels ale from casks to pup pumps and it could hit us right in the middle of the World Cup
Football and no beer is not a good mix(Image: Getty)
England is facing a World Cup without beer. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war could trigger a shortage of carbon dioxide.
The gas is critical to the UK’s booze industry where it not only puts the fizz in drinks it propels beer and lager from casks to pub pumps.
But it is also vital to multiple other aspects of British life – some of which help save lives. Officials have drawn up contingency plans for a ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ in which supplies plummet to 18% their normal level. And it is bad news for football fans.
Officials will prioritise supplies for healthcare where the gas in its frozen solid form – dry ice – is used to cool blood supplies, organs and vaccines.
It will also be directed to nuclear power plants where it is used as a coolant to produce electricity. Pubs will come bottom of the league.
The Government has tinkered with licensing laws to let bars stay open until the early hours so fans can watch England and Scotland’s World Cup matches from the tournament jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. But boozers face a battle to get beer to the pumps.
It is also bad news for the UK’s 1,500 breweries which rely on the gas to pep up their products. And it could hit World Cup BBQs as it cools supermarket fridges which store fresh meat.
The news horrified football fans planning to watch the World Cup from Britain after being priced out of attending by the soaring cost of tickets, travel and accommodation.
One wrote on a football forum: “F****** great. I decide not to go the World Cup to avoid having to flog the house and now I can’t watch it with my mates. Can’t believe this.”
Another said: “So they’re lettiog the pubs stay open but they won’t have any lager? Cunning plan Baldrick!”
Iran shut the Strait – one of the world’s main shipping lanes linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea – six weeks ago in revenge for US-Israeli airstrikes on the Middle East state.
Government analysis of a prolonged closure warned a possible shortage of CO2 could affect supermarket goods. It increases the shelf life of salad, packaged meats and baked goods, and is also used to slaughter nearly all pigs and two-thirds of chickens.
The worst-case scenario in ‘Exercise Turnstone’ – to combat a gas shortage – assumed the Strait had not been opened and a permanent peace deal had not been reached by June.
Plans have been drawn up to ask factories to increase CO2 production to 100% capacity by ceasing other manufacturing.
Emergency legislation has been discussed to compel factories to co-operate which could be passed in just a few days of parliamentary time.
Competition law may also be relaxed to allow prioritisation of more limited CO2 supplies to key areas – including healthcare, – as part of the preparations.
The Civil Contingencies Act, which gives ministers temporary, far-reaching powers to respond to national emergencies, could be invoked instead.
Government lawyers have been told to prepare advice on using the legislation.
Plans were also discussed for compensation of tens of millions of pounds to suppliers ceasing production of other products to focus on CO2.
Last month ministers announced that the Ensus plant in Teesside would be restarted for three months to maintain a resilient supply of CO2.
Government insiders stressed that the scenario was not a prediction but part of normal Whitehall planning.
In 2022 energy price shocks caused some shortages of CO2.
Last night Business Secretary Peter Kyle tried to calm the storm saying a shortage was ‘not a concern’ for the nation ‘at this moment’.
‘If that changes I will speak about it and I will make an announcement about it,” he added.
“Now this information is out there I hope people are reassured that we’re doing this work.
“The reason why you shouldn’t have to be thinking about it is you should expect government to be doing these sorts of things.
“If any of these things change I will be upfront with the public about it.
“But right now people should go on as they are enjoying beer, enjoying their meats, enjoying all the salads.”
A spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association said: “Our domestic CO2 supply chain is vital for our brewers and pubs and something we closely monitor.
“While we’re not aware of any imminent issues we remain in close contact with the Government to highlight any concerns and explore solutions about any indications of potential CO2 disruption or shortage.”
