FDF Launches Manifesto Placing Food and Drink Sector at Heart of Economic Recovery

The manifesto outlines the vital role FDF members play in underpinning the economy – creating jobs and wealth and boosting exports. Food and drink production is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, employing 440,000 people and generating exports of £9.65billion in 2009.

23 Apr 2010 --- A new manifesto highlighting the strategic importance of the food and drink manufacturing sector to the UK economy will be launched tonight by Ross Warburton, President of the Food and Drink Federation. He will challenge politicians to stop taking the food and drink industry for granted and to place a sustainable UK food sector at the heart of the next Government’s strategy for economic recovery.

The manifesto outlines the vital role FDF members play in underpinning the economy – creating jobs and wealth and boosting exports. Food and drink production is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, employing 440,000 people and generating exports of £9.65billion in 2009. Warburton wants that contribution to be recognised by policy makers, and is calling on Government to make a public commitment that a successful food manufacturing sector will become a strategic priority in its own right.

“Defra’s Food 2030 Vision provides a platform for us to work with Government” he says. “We must create a coherent strategy for food, and an economic and regulatory environment which allows our members to prosper and to ensure the nation’s future food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand and increasing pressure on finite resources.”

“Government must support manufacturers, protect innovation through investment and through cutting the red tape, and back us in going green. In return it can be confident that food and drink will continue to be a great British success story”