The Food and Drink Federation, FDF have announced that they have been reassured by Labour’s focus this weekend in Brighton at their annual party conference on the importance of creating a new industrial strategy. It is thought that the implementation of a new strategy can be beneficial for the prosperity of the country.
In light of these proposals put forward by Labour at their conference in Brighton, the Federation has announced that they are looking forward to continuing their constructive conversations with teams from Defra and BEIS.
The FDF is a representative of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. It is thought that the food and drink sector is in a good position to deliver increased levels of growth and jobs in every constituency across the UK. The organisation feels that a sector deal could allow the manufacturing sector to develop skills that could lead to an increase in exports as well as innovation that could see UK food and drink compete with other markets on a larger, global scale.
The FDF were in attendance at a joint fringe with the NFU on Monday and have said that they were pleased to hear the proposals that have been put forward by the Opposition. Among these ideas are plans to support EU citizens who are already living and working in the UK, with plans to support them and help them stay after Britain leave the European Union. EU workers are a vital part of the Food and Drink Manufacturing workforce and it is important that the industry has a chance to prepare and plan for the new business relationship between the UK and the EU. The FDF feel that a proper transition phase is vital for the consistent delivery of quality, choice and value of goods in this sector.
The FDF have also hosted a joint panel with the NFU at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester yesterday, on the 2nd October, with the topic ‘What Next for Food and Farming After Brexit’.
