The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has called upon the UK’s new prime minister to safeguard the competitiveness of the country’s food and drink manufacturing sector.
Theresa May replaced David Cameron as leader of the governing Conservative Party and prime minister of the UK last week.
In an open letter, FDF director general Ian Wright insisted that, if the industry is to remain competitive, it must seek urgent assurances that the leave to remain of nearly 100,000 migrants from the European Union (EU) currently working in the food and drink manufacturing sector is not affected, and that they are allowed to continue to work in the UK. The call follows a referendum in which the British public decided to leave the EU by a margin of 52% to 48%.
Wright also called for continued market access to consumers and vital ingredients across the 27 EU nations and to the advantageous trading arrangements that the EU has negotiated with third countries. Continued access to the single market seems set to be a key component of the country’s negotiations in leaving the EU, although it may only be possible if the UK agrees to keep freedom of movement.
A clear roadmap setting out how the exit process will be managed to ensure an appropriate regulatory framework that ensures the continued confidence of consumers and industry is also required, Wright said.
And prime minister May should take urgent action to address economic and currency volatility and provide a firm commitment to avoid introducing planned burdens on businesses: such as the proposed apprenticeship levy and soft drinks tax.
“We have published our manifesto for food and drink manufacturing,” FDF said. This sets out the key priorities for our industry that we believe must be secured as part of the negotiations on the UK’s new relationship with the EU.
FDF represents the UK food and drink manufacturing industry, which is the country’s largest manufacturing sector contributing more than £21 billion per year in gross value added and employing 400,000 people.
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