Vladimir Putin has been accused of sending gas prices rocketing in a deliberate move to leave British supermarket shelves empty. Soaring natural gas prices has resulted in the food sector warning of "chaos" as supplies dwindle. Russia's state-owned Gazprom supplier has been accused by 40 MEPs of carrying out “deliberate market manipulation” to shoot gas prices to record levels.

       Gazprom has recently reduced its gas production for no discernable reason and has refused to pump gas through existing pipelines.

       The MEPs suspect Mr Putin is manipulating the market in a bid to pressure Europe to agree to a faster launch of its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

       Fertiliser makers have been struggling with the new high prices which has a knock of effect for the entire food supply chain.

       Carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of fertiliser production, is essential the meat industry as well as brewing and packaging of other foods.

       According to the British Meat Processors Association, the shock closure of two major fertiliser plants has slashed the UK's carbon dioxide supply by a devastating 60 percent.

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