UK carbon dioxide shortage could force farmers to cull pigs

Soaring energy prices slow production of gas used to stun animals before slaughter in abattoirs

Britain's pig farmers are the latest casualty of the worsening energy crisis which threatens to trigger a shortage of carbon dioxide used across the food and drinks industry.

Rocketing gas prices have caused a Europe-wide slowdown for some chemical factories that produce fertiliser, a byproduct of which is carbon dioxide, used in fizzy drinks and beer as well as in the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter.