Working with governments

Driving engagement with policymakers

We work closely with government and regulators, alongside our members, to ensure government policy supports a competitive food and drink manufacturing sector, securing a regulatory environment that works in practice and enables food and drink businesses to grow and thrive.

We engage with policy makers across England, Scotland and Wales to champion the industry and provide insight on critical issues that matter most. This includes providing secretariat for the UK Parliament’s Food and Drink APPG and the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Food.

We also organise site visits with MPs, MSPs and MSs to food and drink factories, have a strong presence at the political party conferences, and host political events and roundtables throughout the year.

MP's Choice Award

This award celebrates the extraordinary SMEs that make up 97% of the UK's food and drink manufacturing sector. We're inviting Members of Parliament to shine a spotlight on the exceptional food and drink manufacturers in their constituencies by nominating them for the 2026 award.

Find out more

Member engagement

Direct, regular contact with our members is key, our committee meetings and specialist group forums allow our members' voice to be heard on the critical issues that impact business.

We further support our members and producers by engaging strategically on supply-chain fairness, retailer relationships, the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), and issues of cost and inflation.

Corporate affairs

Our Corporate Affairs team includes a range of policy, political and public affairs expertise, alongside specialist communications and media services.

We engage with governments and parliamentarians, the media and our members across England, Scotland and Wales, to champion the industry and provide insight on critical issues.

While providing Secretariat for the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Food and the Food & Drink APPG.

We also arrange direct engagement with our members:

Organising and hosting site visits with MPs, MSPs and MSs
Attending and exhibiting at Party Conferences
Hosting political and parliamentary events throughout the year including FDF’s Annual Parliamentary Reception and Investment Summit