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Britain is at risk of running out of chicken, beer and fizzy drinks amid the worst carbon dioxide shortage to hit the country in decades.

The lack of CO2 has sparked major concern just as more people head to pubs to watch World Cup matches and the BBQ season gets under way.

A longer than usual break in production at plants across Europe has left the UK relying on one big plant producing CO2 - which is used to carbonate drinks and preserve some packed fresh foods.

Sixty per cent of chicken processing plants, many of which use CO2 in the slaughter process, could be out of operation within days, according to the Guardian.

Trade journal Gas World said the shortage had been described as the "worst supply situation to hit the European carbon dioxide (CO2) business in decades".

It added that the shortage appears likely to continue for the remainder of June "at least" as drinks manufacturers warn grow desperate.

It has also emerged that nine of Britain’s largest poultry plants could be put out of action within days due to the shortage.

The boss of the British Poultry Council, Richard Griffiths, told The Sun: “There are some slaughter houses that have only two days of supply left and others that have a few weeks. Production has slowed considerably.”

The British Meat Processors Association also said it was "very concerned" about the shortage.

Deputy director Fiona Steiger said: "We are getting very concerned. It's different for every member. Anyone who uses CO2 will have individual contracts with suppliers, and each supplier has different amounts.

"Supply is running out and it's pretty tight for some people. Others hope to be able to see it out.

"We don't know when supplies will be back up. We've been told it could be about a month.”

Meanwhile, brewers have been warning pubs they may have to limit how much they can order of the affected lines.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "We are aware of a situation affecting the availability of CO2 across Europe, which has now started to impact beer producers in the UK.

"We have recommended our members to continue to liaise with their providers directly where they have concerns over supply.

"We will continue to monitor the situation carefully. However, given the time of year and the World Cup, this situation has arisen at an unfortunate time for the brewing industry."

A Heineken spokeswoman said: "We've been informed by our CO2 supplier that they are facing a major issue with supply availability in the UK. Like many other businesses in the food and drinks industry, we are affected by this shortage.

"We continue to work hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible within our European supply base, and are working with customers to minimise disruption to their business."

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We are fully aware of the situation. At present none of our pubs have been affected and are offering their full range of drinks.

"We are monitoring the situation closely with our suppliers in order to minimise any disruptions that might occur. We are aware that the situation might get worse and if it does there could be shortages in pubs and other hospitality outlets."

Retailers are also expecting sales of alcohol and soft drinks to be boosted by forecasts of a hot summer running through until August.

A Coca-Cola spokeswoman said: "We are currently responding to an industry-wide issue that is impacting the supply of CO2 in the UK and across Europe. Our focus is on limiting the effect this may have on the availability of our products.

"There has been no disruption to supply to date and we are continuing to fulfil orders to our customers. We are working closely with our suppliers, partners and customers on a number of solutions as the situation develops."

The British Soft Drinks Association said in a statement: "The shortage of CO2 across Northern Europe is impacting a wide range of businesses across the food and drink sector.

"Soft drinks producers in the UK are taking active steps to maintain their service to customers including working with their suppliers to mitigate the impact as well as looking at alternative sources."