News article
7 July 2018
FDF response to the Brexit Chequers Summit
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Responding to the Brexit Chequers Summit, Ian Wright CBE, FDF Chief Executive,
said:
Every day UK food and drink firms feed and nourish the nation, providing an
unrivalled level of
choice, at all price points. The ability to import essential ingredients and
raw
materials, and to export our
finished products to the EU, our biggest market, has been a crucial factor in
driving our success as the
UK's largest manufacturing sector.
FDF has been absolutely clear with Government in the run up to the referendum,
and in the many
months since, that our fragile and highly integrated supply chains rely on
seamless trade and common
regulatory standards with our closest neighbours. Nowhere is this more the case
to and from the
Republic of Ireland where ingredients and products cross borders multiple times
a day, north-south and
east-west.
The Cabinet agreement struck yesterday is therefore very welcome. We are greatly
encouraged that
Government has grasped the consequences for trade in agri-food: senior
Ministers
have acknowledged
the role FDF and our members' advocacy played in shaping this proposal.
While there is more to do to finalise details, we are acutely aware that the
negotiation clock
continues to count down. We urge both the UK and EU27 to work swiftly to find
common ground in a
short space of time. FDF will continue to work constructively with UK
Government
and with our
European partners to get the best possible deal for our businesses and for our
shoppers.
For Information
Contact Skye Oudemans, Corporate Affairs Division, at: skye.oudemans@fdf.org.uk, or 02074207120.
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