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FDF at the Political Party Conferences

FDF was involved in a number of fringe events at the main Political Party Conferences this autumn and would like to thank all interested parties who joined in the debates.

We held joint events with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) at the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party Conferences on the theme of food and farming.

FDF held its own breakfast fringe promoting our careers campaign 'Taste Success - A Future in Food' at the Conservative Party Conference.

We also supported the Dods UK Manufacturing Dialogue events at all 3 conferences.

• The Conservative Party Conference - FDF fringe events
• The Labour Party Conference - FDF fringe events
• Liberal Democrat Party Conference - FDF fringe events

Conservative Party Conference Events, 2 & 3 October 2011

On Sunday 2 October, we hosted a private dinner for MPs and Peers, attended by both Food and Farming Minister, Jim Paice MP and the newest member of the Defra team, Lord Taylor of Holbeach.

Discussion centred on growth and Angela Coleshill updated attendees on the work FDF is doing with Grant Thornton to research sustainable growth in the sector. The final report is due at the end of the year and this research is likely to be a major focus of FDF's lobbying work over the next 12 months.

The following morning, FDF President Jim Moseley spoke on a panel alongside Improve's Justine Fosh and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group John Stevenson MP at our event 'Attracting Talent to Support Growth'.

Two apprentices from Kraft Foods UK Ltd opened proceedings, giving their experiences of working in our sector. Delegates were inspired by the determination and achievements of the two apprentices, who told how they had managed to pay for a year of their apprenticeships by setting up a multi-packing project at the Bourneville site where they worked.

The fringe was ably chaired by Mark Spencer MP, a former farmer, businessman and a Food and Drink APPG officer. A highlight of the meeting was a call for a Minister for Manufacturing by John Stevenson MP.

This call was echoed by Guy Opperman MP, when he addressed the Dods UK Manufacturing Dialogue fringe event on the Monday evening.

Terry Jones also spoke alongside Dialogue partners: Sir Kevin Tebbit from Finmeccanica: Dr Julie Madigan from the Manufacturing Institute: Andy Barnetson from the Confederation of Paper Industries; and Stephen Tetlow MBE from IMECHE.

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Labour Party Conference Fringe Events – 26 September 2011

We teamed up with the NFU to host a fringe meeting to discuss 'What can Labour offer the Food and Farming Sectors in the Labour Policy Review?' Having secured an excellent line up on the panel, Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh MP, Shadow Defra Ministers Lord Knight and Willie Bain MP, NFU President Peter Kendall and our very own Terry Jones, the discussion was dynamic and engaging. Questions were asked on a range of topics, from the controversial Bovine TB (which we left our NFU partners to answer) to food strategy, the GCA and attracting young people into food jobs across the supply chain.

Terry then spoke as part of the Dods Manufacturing Dialogue reception on 'the future of UK manufacturing'. We were pleased to see the newest member of our All-Party Parliamentary Group, Jonathan Reynolds MP attending.

Once again this reception gave us an opportunity to highlight the good news story that is British food and drink manufacturing.

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Liberal Democrats Party Conference Fringe Events - 19 September 2011

This joint meeting with the NFU was titled 'Are the Liberal Democrats being heard on food and farming?'

Over 80 delegates attended to put their question on this slightly controversial topic to a panel made up of FDF's Melanie Leech, Liberal Democrat Defra Policy Committee Chair Andrew George MP, Roger Williams MP, NFU President Peter Kendall, with the proceedings skilfully chaired by Tessa Munt MP.

Issues raised ranged from the distinctive Defra policies being pursued by the Lib Dems, the party's support for a Groceries Code Adjudicator and the political importance of food and food security.

Melanie then addressed a small gathering as part of our work with the Dods UK Manufacturing Dialogue. The aim of the reception was to raise support for manufacturing. As the voice of the largest manufacturing sector, FDF always appreciates the opportunity to put forward the distinct position of our industry. Melanie spoke alongside Julie Madigan from the Manufacturing Institute and Mike Cherry of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Proceeding were drawn to a close by Lib Dem Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes MP who reminded delegates of Britain's proud history in trade and manufacturing and said that the Government needs to act now to resurrect manufacturing.

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FDF live tweets from Party Conferences

During the Party conferences we will be 'tweeting' about the latest from our fringe events - you can still catch up with us by following @Foodanddrinkfed . If you want to catch up on our tweets, then simply search Twitter by for the hash tag #fdfpartyconf.

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More Information

For all enquiries: Selga Speakman-Brown on 020 7420 7127 or send an email to: Selga.Speakman-Brown@fdf.org.uk