News article
19 February 2008
FDF President Speaks on Future Industry Challenges at NFU Conference
Back to list of articles
PRESS RELEASE
Speaking at today's National Farmers' Union (NFU) Conference at the Hilton
London Metropole, FDF President and Chief Executive of Tate & Lyle, Iain
Ferguson
CBE,
addressed the question of whether businesses can deliver on the many
challenges
they will face in the future.
Ferguson compared the challenges faced by the farming industry when the NFU was
founded 100 years ago in 1908, such as wheat shortages; foot and mouth disease;
and improving the size of eggs for export, with those faced by the industry
today,
such as a changing regulatory environment; extreme weather conditions;
biofuels;
and the GM debate.
Iain Ferguson said:
“There have always been challenges, and I see no reason for this to change.
The future will always throw up many challenges and I believe that businesses can
deliver. However, no one part of our business chain can deliver alone. I believe
that it can only be by collaborating and embracing science and innovation that
farming, food- and agri-processing can deliver increased competition, consumer
choice and sustainability.”
Ferguson explained how, as farming's largest customer, the UK food manufacturing
industry represents an important customer base for British farmers and an area of
great opportunity in terms of collaboration – both horizontally between farms and
vertically with food processors. Food manufacturing is often the vital connection
between farmer and retailer, and, ultimately, farmer and consumer.
Ferguson added:
“The retail and foodservice sectors are incredibly competitive and that
means
the successful manufacturers are those that have responded by becoming
highly
efficient, focused on product innovation and absolutely single-minded about
delivering the quality and value for money that our customers and our consumers
demand.”
More Information
For more information please contact:
Editor's notes:
Iain Ferguson was speaking at the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Conference at
the Hilton London Metropole. The Conference takes place from Monday 18 to Tuesday
19 February 2008. Visit www.nfuonline.com/x25294.xml for further information.
Back to list of articles