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Annual Review 2008: Working for a competitive industry

FDF continues to promote the regulatory and policy improvements that will support the competitive position of our members. As the economic situation has worsened, FDF has been in constant dialogue with Government to ensure that the interests of the food sector and its value to the economy are both understood and appreciated. In particular, we have voiced our concerns about the lack of bank lending and the withdrawal of trade credit insurance – issues affecting large and small companies alike.

A high priority is to press Government about the importance of proportionate and evidence-based regulation. We continue to contribute to Defra's and the FSA's better regulation programmes, including playing an active role in the Food Industry Better Regulation Group.

During the year, FDF was part of a UK food chain campaign against unduly restrictive EU restrictions on crop protection products. The proposals went beyond what was needed to protect public health and risked impacting significantly on the cost of agricultural production in the UK. As a result, we were able to lobby successfully against some of the more extreme elements of the proposals and to secure a number of derogations which the UK Government is committed to operating on a case by case basis.

We also ensured our sector's voice was heard on a range of employment issues during the year. We made representations to the Low Pay Commission; lobbied MEPs to support our opt-out of the Working Time Directive; and we have been working to ensure that the implementation of the Temporary Agency Workers Directive is not 'goldplated' by the UK Government.

We have finalised FDF's skills policy and are encouraging our members to commit to a skills pledge to raise the qualification level of eligible employees. We are also supporting industry efforts to recruit more food scientists and technologists, working in partnership with Improve, our Sector Skills Council.

In addition, we played an active role in facilitating the development of national occupational standards for sustainability with Improve.

Meanwhile, in Brussels FDF and a number of member companies have been involved in the European Commission's High Level Group reviewing the competitiveness of the food and drink industry, and we continue to lobby for trade liberalisation and improved market access.

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