Support a British success story - Manifesto

The Food and Drink Federation represents the interests of the UK's food and non-alcoholic drinks industry, which is the country's largest manufacturing sector.

Our membership comprises manufacturers of all sizes – making everything from breakfast cereals to organic yogurt – as well as trade associations and groups dealing with specific sectors of the industry.

A vision for UK food production

"The country needs a clear long-term vision for the UK food industry. It is time for Government to turn words into action"

As the main trade association for the UK's food and drink manufacturers, we believe the facts speak for themselves: FDF members play a vital role in underpinning the UK economy and helping to feed the nation.

That's why Government must put our sector at the heart of future economic thinking. More than that, national policy must reflect the key strategic role food and drink manufacturers will play in ensuring the nation's future food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand and increasing pressure on finite resources.

All of which requires Government to develop both a long-term vision and a strategy for food production that takes full account of the economic, strategic and social importance of processors and manufacturers to the UK.

We recognise the complexities. Food issues cut across virtually every aspect of Government policy. Nevertheless, in July 2008 the Cabinet Office Food Matters report highlighted the need for a stronger and more integrated approach to Government policy.

Now it is time to turn words into action. And in developing a new strategic approach to food, Ministers should focus on one simple priority: what must we do to maintain a thriving and sustainable food system here in the UK?

It is only by articulating a clear strategy for the future success of the supply chain that Government can be confident farmers, food processors and manufacturers, working with their customers in retail and catering, will in future be able to keep supplying UK consumers with food that is safe, nutritious and affordable – with the lowest possible environmental impacts.

Given our sector's relative size and economic importance, we clearly recognise that the food and drink industry has a responsibility to help tackle many of the complex issues facing society.

Our sector is already leading the way and our commitment has been undiminished by the current economic challenges.

For example: our members are working under FDF's Fivefold Environmental Ambition to make a real difference to the environment by setting themselves stretching targets in areas such as carbon emissions, water efficiency and waste reduction. We are also helping to improve the health of the nation through our groundbreaking work to change the recipes of favourite British brands and introduce clearer nutrition labelling on food packs.

So what do we want to see from a future Government? A clearer, more coherent and consistent approach to food policy right across Departments would be a good start.

We also want a public commitment that Government will in future support a successful food manufacturing sector as a top strategic priority in its own right. And we want an appropriate regulatory environment here in the UK so that our industry can remain competitive – particularly against other European manufacturers.

We are playing our part. We have articulated 20 ways in which we think the next Government should support our industry. All of our ideas are cost neutral for taxpayers.

But we believe they will help to safeguard the future success of UK food and drink manufacturing – a sector that has an excellent track record of generating wealth for the nation, providing employment opportunities nationally and responding responsibly to societal concerns about diet, health and the environment.