The ECSLA (European Association for Refrigerated Storage and Logistics), to which ALDEFE (the Spanish business organization) belongs, is asking the European and Spanish authorities for measures for refrigerated storage and transport (controlled temperature) in order to ensure the food supply and allow it to reach the consumer in the expected condition.
The companies in the sector are devoted to preserving frozen and fresh (perishable) foods and providing the controlled temperature storage capacity to freeze, store and safely distribute raw materials including fruits and vegetables, meat and fish products, essential ingredients, like milk and dairy products, and all finished frozen foods, like ice cream, ready meals etc.
In order to guarantee the continuity of food distribution throughout the temperature-controlled supply chain and make sure the logistics continues operating, they are asking the authorities for “the temperature-controlled logistics sector to be recognized as a critical service. The border crossing of refrigerated trucks should be smooth, allowing circulation on the 'green lanes' intended for essential transport services if necessary."
They also call for the temporary suspension of the rules on driving and rest hours for refrigerated truck drivers and of the restrictions on delivery hours, as well as for the lifting of driving bans in order to allow the continued supply of essential foods.
ECSLA member companies are a crucial link in the food supply chain that connects producers and processing companies with retailers and, ultimately, with the consumer. Our members run public cold rooms across the EU with a capacity of over 60 million cubic meters. Out of these, Spain accounts for about 10 million cubic meters.
The proper functioning of the temperature-controlled food supply chain is essential to continue bringing food from farms and food manufacturers to the points of sale across Europe. Food supply chains, and particularly perishable and frozen food chains, must be kept operational and every effort must be made to ensure that they continue to operate without interruption.