Producers and retailers issue Brexit manifesto

As government ministers prepare for a critical stage in the Brexit negotiations, leaders of more than 100 organisations have put their names to a manifesto setting out what they believe are the key principles to make Brexit a success for both the food supply sector and consumers.

The UK Food Supply Chain Manifesto, released yesterday, has attracted support all the way from farmers producing the raw ingredients right through to manufacturers and retailers – and focuses on the need for positive outcomes on trade, labour, regulation and domestic agricultural policy talks.

The manifesto, which has the backing of both the English NFU and NFU Scotland, has been sent to the Prime Minister and other key Cabinet ministers.

With a combined value of £112 billion to the UK economy and employing around four million people, the food and farming sector meets 61 per cent of the nation’s food needs with high-welfare, traceable and affordable food, the unions pointed out.

It also highlighted the role the sector played in caring for the UK’S iconic countryside which delivered more than £21bn in tourism to the 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,” said the unions.