Leaders of over 100 organisations in Britain’s food industry have drawn up a manifesto for the future of UK farming.
Spearheaded by the NFU, The UK Food Supply Chain Manifesto, released today, was created by groups representing farmers producing the raw ingredients and their suppliers, right through to manufacturers and retailers. It sets out the need for positive outcomes on trade, labour, regulation and domestic agricultural policy.
The document pushes the government on four key points: maintaining frictionless trade, keeping high product standards, access to labour and proportionate regulations.
Signatories of the manifesto include Marks and Spencer head of agriculture and fisheries sourcing Steve McLean, British Growers chief executive Jack Ward and BerryWorld’s head of business relations Mike Jobbins, as well NFU head Minette Batters.
NFU Cymru President John Davies said: 'Today we are presenting a united voice as a food and farming sector worth at least £112bn to the UK economy and employing around 4 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 £21bn 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. 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.”
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