A collaboration of more than 30 organisations from across the UK’s food and drink supply chain have publisheda call-to-action for governments to support and champion the country's largest industry.
The publication, entitled 'A Recipe for Growth, Prosperity and Sustainability: the UK Food and Drink Industry’s Plan for Success',sets out a vision for how policymakers across Whitehall and the devolved nations can support the industry, which contributes £121 billion to the economy, and ensure the UK food chain is the most dynamic and competitive in the world.
Signatories to the plan come from across the food industry, and include the Fresh Produce Consortium and Potato Processors' Association. They hope that the government will put its ideas at the heart of a holistic National Food Strategy as it looks at its post-Brexit food policy.
ThePlan for Successis broken down into policy areas based around topics including future regulation and trade policy; tackling obesity; developing skills and talent; investing in exports and innovation; and environmental sustainability.
It provides suggestions on how governments across the UK can work with the industry to support evidence-based interventions to address major threats such as climate change and the obesity challenge.
The publication also includes proposals that would unlock the growth and productivity potential of the sector.
Food & Drink Federation chief executive Ian Wright said: “Ahead of the upcoming National Food Strategy, the UK food and drink Industry’s Plan for Success demonstrates that our industry is ready and willing to deliver economic growth, healthier consumption, environmental benefits, and higher-skilled jobs that will benefit every community. Now we need governments across the UK to work with us in partnership to deliver a thriving UK food and drink industry.
“The calamitous struggle of Brexit must end - whoever the Prime Minister. Then we must look to the future and how to deliver success for the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, the four million people who work in food and drink and this Industry which is at the heart of our national life.”
