Brexit is ‘unique opportunity’ for food and drink

That was the upbeat message delivered by chair of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD) Paul Wilkinson at the launch of a new apprenticeship programme at the House of Commons last month.

“The food and drink industry faces exciting change, as we forge our new role in the world, following the people’s decision to leave the EU,” the business guru and former chair of Thorntons told guests at the launch.

“It was a decision I fully supported – unlike many of my colleagues in the food industry,” he added.

‘A decision I fully supported’

Quitting the EU would also highlight the key contribution of food and farming to both national life and the British economy,he added. “The food and drink industry and agricultural will now take on even more importance, as we aim to increase our self-sufficiency [in food] and establish an environment where we can prosper past the Common Agricultural Policy.”

The chairman of grain marketing co-operative Fengrain said: “This will mean setting up our own support programmes and improving productivity – a unique opportunity for us all.”

Quitting the EU would allow UK food and drink manufacturers to “accentuate our international business” by exporting products freely across the world, claimed Wilkinson. The new Department for International Trade – headed by Liam Fox, Conservative Member of Parliament for North Somerset, was just what was needed to boost exports, he added.

Environment secretary Andrea Leadsom agreed that Brexit would deliver big opportunities for food and drink manufacturers and the economy in general.

‘Brought huge opportunities’

“While it [the vote to leave the EU] has brought some uncertainty, it has also brought huge opportunities,” Leadsom said in her first speech since taking over the helm of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

“It is a chance to develop and to shape our own policies and future,” she added.

Both Wilkinson and the DEFRA boss agreed that skills development would be vital to unlock the nation’s true manufacturing potential.

They were speaking at the launch of the new apprenticeship programmes – Industry Approved Apprenticeship Programmes (IAAP) – on Wednesday July 20. See box below for details of the new IAAP scheme.

Meanwhile, the NSAFD boss also chairs the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards independent judging panel.