Food industry, supply chain
Defra has made a commitment in our Business Plan to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production by looking at the ‘competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, including farms and the fish industry, to help ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and healthy supply of food with improved standards of animal welfare.’
Food and farming is very important to the UK economy, with the whole food chain contributing £88 billion per annum (ie 7% of GDP) and 3.7 million jobs.
The food and drink sector is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector by Gross Value Added (£23.4bn) and employment (379,000). It offers employment across the skills range from basic processing skills to food scientists, technologists and cutting edge engineers.
As the principal contact in government for this sector, we want to work with all parts of the food chain, including consumers, to a foster competitive, vibrant, diverse and sustainable industry which produces food to high standards of quality, safety and animal welfare and which is responsive to consumer needs.
Latest news
- 11 May 2012 – Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill introduced into Parliament to protect suppliers by ensuring that large retailers treat them fairly by upholding the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.
- Further information is available on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website
- Follow the progress of the Bill – Parliament website