Seventy-five food producers and farming unions have written to the Prime Minster urging her to ensure the food sector maintains tariff-free access to the Single Market and continued access to a 'competent and reliable' workforce.
The signatories include farming unions from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as 71 leading food businesses. They point out that they comprise the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, 'bigger than the automotive and aerospace sectors combined', and with an economic reach that spreads to every parliamentary constituency. They have a combined turnover of more than £92 billion and employ almost a million people.
They pledge to support a 'bold and ambitious' vision for food and farming. But they warn that food security, environmental protections and affordability may be at risk if ministers do not secure unfettered Single Market access and continued access to EU workers for both seasonal and permanent work.
Read the letter here, and find out more here about Sustain's campaign work to secure a more sustainable food system after Brexit.
Published Friday 2 December 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
