Fish and chip shops across Britain could face closure due to Ed Miliband's net zero policies, the industry's trade association has warned.
The National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) said the Energy Secretary's green ambitions could "further undermine" the industry and force restaurants and takeaways to shut.
The warning comes as Miliband's department was unable to provide estimates on how much the electrification of heating and cooking appliances would cost households.
Andrew Crook, the president of the NFFF, told The Telegraph that the full electrification of his industry would not be "feasible or affordable".
"Nearly every fish and chip shop runs on gas as the most effective way to fry. Full electrification is not feasible or affordable," said Crook, who runs the Skippers of Euxton chip shop in Chorley.
He argued that green infrastructure would simply not be able to supply commercial kitchens with the power they need.
Crook called on ministers to show "common sense", adding: "They don't understand the fish and chip industry, a lot of it is nuances that are industry-specific."
The average cost for a portion of cod and chips is now almost £10, having risen by more than 50 per cent in the last five years.
This increase has been driven by inflation and soaring costs of potatoes and fish.
The NFFF previously warned that up to a third of the UK's 10,500 fish and chip shops could close due to cost pressures.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Poppies Fish and Chips, founded in 1945 and self-described as "the original London chippy", expressed concerns about retrofitting costs.
A spokesman for the chain said: "We care about the planet and want to do our part in supporting a greener future. Poppies' latest restaurant on Portobello Road is all electric."
However, they added that retrofitting equipment into their gas-powered restaurants would be "extremely cost prohibitive, especially when we are already facing rising costs across the board."
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, criticised Labour's approach, saying: "Not content with battering British business, Labour's net zero zealots want to condemn seaside revellers to soggy fish and chips."
He added that it "proves once again that Labour simply don't understand business".
Greg Smith, a shadow business minister, called the threat to chip shops "another example of the damage net zero zealotry does".
Smith argued for "a more sensible approach that lets everyone do everything they always have, just cleaner".
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the government's position.
"Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, home-grown energy is the best way to protect bill-payers and boost Britain's energy independence," they said.
The spokesman added that this would "support every local business on the high street, including fish and chip shops, to access clean, affordable power".
They also pledged to "reform business rates to level the playing field on our high streets".
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The National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) said the Energy Secretary's green ambitions could "further undermine" the industry and force restaurants and takeaways to shut.
The warning comes as Miliband's department was unable to provide estimates on how much the electrification of heating and cooking appliances would cost households.
Andrew Crook, the president of the NFFF, told The Telegraph that the full electrification of his industry would not be "feasible or affordable".
"Nearly every fish and chip shop runs on gas as the most effective way to fry. Full electrification is not feasible or affordable," said Crook, who runs the Skippers of Euxton chip shop in Chorley.
He argued that green infrastructure would simply not be able to supply commercial kitchens with the power they need.
Crook called on ministers to show "common sense", adding: "They don't understand the fish and chip industry, a lot of it is nuances that are industry-specific."
The average cost for a portion of cod and chips is now almost £10, having risen by more than 50 per cent in the last five years.
This increase has been driven by inflation and soaring costs of potatoes and fish.
The NFFF previously warned that up to a third of the UK's 10,500 fish and chip shops could close due to cost pressures.
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Poppies Fish and Chips, founded in 1945 and self-described as "the original London chippy", expressed concerns about retrofitting costs.
A spokesman for the chain said: "We care about the planet and want to do our part in supporting a greener future. Poppies' latest restaurant on Portobello Road is all electric."
However, they added that retrofitting equipment into their gas-powered restaurants would be "extremely cost prohibitive, especially when we are already facing rising costs across the board."
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, criticised Labour's approach, saying: "Not content with battering British business, Labour's net zero zealots want to condemn seaside revellers to soggy fish and chips."
He added that it "proves once again that Labour simply don't understand business".
Greg Smith, a shadow business minister, called the threat to chip shops "another example of the damage net zero zealotry does".
Smith argued for "a more sensible approach that lets everyone do everything they always have, just cleaner".
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the government's position.
"Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, home-grown energy is the best way to protect bill-payers and boost Britain's energy independence," they said.
The spokesman added that this would "support every local business on the high street, including fish and chip shops, to access clean, affordable power".
They also pledged to "reform business rates to level the playing field on our high streets".
Find Out More...