Key Achievements
- Secured food and drink manufacturing’s inclusion in government’s Advanced Manufacturing Plan; engaged the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), garnering their support on Not for EU labelling.
- Secured workable outcomes across companies and products on trade – including Windsor Framework,
- Border Target Operating Model and free trade agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council and India.
- Informed government, Bank of England, Competition Market Authority and media on the drivers behind food price inflation, preventing government action on pricing and ensuring balance in the CMA review.
How we have worked
Through persistence and presenting analysis on the economic footprint of the industry, we have found direct routes into the HM Treasury which resulted in them amending their definition of Advanced Manufacturing to include food and drink.
We have also raised our profile within DBT with ministers and officials. When we heard HM Treasury and DBT were working on an Advanced Manufacturing Plan we made the case for our industry to be included.
Our joint work with the Manufacturing 5 group (automotive, aerospace, chemical, food and pharmaceutical) and launch of our manufacturing manifesto strengthened our position to the extent that we were included in the Plan when it was launched at the Autumn Statement.
This is the beginning of a sustained campaign to increase our industry’s recognition as a critical economic sector and raise our influence to the level of other sectors like aerospace and automotive.
Moving forward
Our objective for 2024 is to work with government to create a business environment that attracts investment by:
Removing its plans for mandatory Not for EU labelling for the GB market.
Delivering coherent regulation that impacts food and drink in all parts of the UK.
Securing recognition of food and drink as a strategically important manufacturing sector.
Related topics
Trade policy
Our priorities for UK trade policy, including our trade and investment strategy and detailed positions on live negotiations.
Border policy
Our priorities to deliver world leading borders and customs to support the growth of UK food and drink manufacturing.
FDF Trade Snapshots
Our quarterly Trade Snapshots provide analysis of the latest trends in UK food and drink exports and imports.