Leaders of over 100 organisations across the UK’s food supply chain have signed a manifesto outlining key principles they believe can help ensure than Brexit is a success for the supply of food in the UK.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said that the UK Food Supply Chain Manifesto was drawn up by groups representing the sector.
Protecting UK Suppliers
It sets out the need for positive outcomes on trade, labour, regulation and domestic agricultural policy, and emphasises the importance of ensuring that the departure from the EU does not undermine the food production and supply sectors in the UK.
Minette Batters, deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union, who has signed the manifesto, said, “We are presenting a united voice as a food and farming sector worth at least £112 billion to the UK economy and employing around four million people; a food and farming sector that meets 61% of the nation's food needs with high-welfare, traceable and affordable food; a food and farming sector that cares for three-quarters of the iconic countryside, that, in turn, delivers over £21 billion in tourism back to our economy.
"In the manifesto, we warn, as a collective, that a Brexit that fails to champion UK food producers, and the businesses that rely on them, will be bad for the country's landscape, the economy and critically our society."
Batters added that conversely, "if we get this right, we can all contribute to making Brexit a success for producers, food businesses and the British public, improving productivity, creating jobs and establishing a more sustainable food supply system.”
UK food and drink manufacturers are feeling the pinch of Brexit uncertainty, however, they are still proceeding with investment plans to boost productivity, automation and new-product development.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O'Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
