Key industry figures move forward with export strategy

Food and drinks businesses were addressed by secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Andrea Leadsom, and key industry figures at the Food and Drink Exporters Association Network Forum last week (14 December).

Speakers and attendees joined together to discuss how to continue growing the country’s food and drink exports successfully post-Brexit.

The event was attended by 120 people from food businesses across the country and included speeches from successful exporters, offering insight on how the industry will be affected by Brexit, and what the government’s recently launched International Action Plan for Food and Drink will do to support producers and suppliers.

In October, Leadsom launched the action plan, with the backing of the FDF and the FDEA, which will serve as a fundamental export strategy for the food and drink industry. The government has pledged that over the next five years it will support exporters to sell more overseas through business support, mentoring and training.

Leadsom comments, “With £10 billion of British food and drink sold around the world in the first half of this year, there can be no doubt we are open for business. The demand is out there and I want us all to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

“That is why, backed by industry, I recently launched our ambitious export action plan to bring billions more into the UK economy and help our businesses reach even more international markets.”

Speaking at the event, Jim Walker of Walkers Shortbread, a company which exports to over 100 countries, welcomed the action plan. Walker also highlighted how important it is for food and drink businesses to continue to have access to European markets post-Brexit, ideally through participation in the single market.

Another key issue highlighted was the importance of continued access to a supply of skilled labour which forms the backbone of the food industry workforce in this country. Many companies currently rely on migrant labour, so it is important that they can be confident that they will continue to have access to workers after leaving the EU.

Elsa Fairbanks of the FDEA adds, “Today’s industry forum has achieved its aim of providing a platform for the food and drink exporting community to share important issues that have come to light following the vote for Brexit, and to discuss the plans for the industry’s future with Leadsom herself.

“Our focus now is to continue to work with the government to provide a strong exporting platform, while encouraging and supporting exporters in building strong relationships with existing and potential customers and to explore new markets around the world.”