The FDF UK’s Trade and Investment Strategy includes 20 recommendations for the UK government, highlighting the importance of imports, both for the UK’s continued food supply and as a key component for innovation and the creation of jobs.
It also says exports will help deliver growth in communities across the country to help Brits see through the runaway inflation.
According to the FDF, the UK Government is poised to strike new trade deals around the world that specifically take in the need for high standards of production, environmental sustainability and animal welfare while recognising the unique features of the UK supply mix. It proposes to foster stronger ties with the UK Government and Devolved Administrations, in order for the F&B sector to play a more important role in UK exports.
Best of British
“The food and drink sector aims to offer shoppers unrivalled choice at affordable prices across a huge range of products,” said FDF’s CEO Karen Betts.
“Trade is an important part of that, since we rely on imports of many ingredients that aren’t produced in the UK, like spices. We also export both traditional and innovative British products around the world, from our world-famous biscuits to gluten-free foods.
“Our report looks at how government and industry put food and drink at the heart of the UK’s new, independent trade policy, and ensures this supports companies in our sector to grow and thrive. Trade is also a means of curbing rising costs, which is particularly important now at a time of soaring inflation.”
