New food export campaign unveiled
INTERNATIONAL Trade Secretary Liz Truss has insisted she would “never sign a trade deal that is bad for British farming” as she launched a new campaign to boost exports of food and drink.
The Open Doors campaign by the Government, with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, aims to target the growing middle classes in places such as Asia.
Ms Truss told the NFU annual conference the high quality of UK produce made it highly competitive and appealing to middle-class consumers abroad. But only a fifth of food manufacturers export their produce, she said.
The £2 million scheme will include advertising to encourage businesses to increase their overseas sales, practical help from Government, like exporting master-classes and a new mentoring programme to help firms export.
Ms Truss said: “I want to be very clear, we are not going to lower our food standards in any future trade deals we sign, and I will never sign a deal that is bad for British farming.”
In her speech, Ms Truss said: “Our farmers need access to new markets around the world, but we need to get rid of the barriers holding them back. We will help you get out into the global market.”