The Environment Secretary will today hail the UK’s
forward-thinking food sector for driving innovation and
productivity as we prepare to leave the EU.
Ahead of a visit to the Bournville chocolate factory today
(Friday 27 October), which recently used a £75 million investment
to launch four new production lines and employ thousands more
staff, the Environment Secretary praised food producers across
the country for creating thousands of new products every year –
from craft beers, to chocolate, to healthy snacks.
At the Birmingham based factory, the Environment Secretary will
see first-hand how even our most recognisable products are
continuing to find new ways to push the boundaries – from new
technologies to prolong shelf life to ‘free-from’ ranges that tap
into consumer demand. The newest line at Bournville can now
produce one million bars of Dairy Milk per day.
During a tour of Bournville’s newest production lines which can
make a million bars of Dairy Milk every day, the Environment
Secretary will see the company’s new innovation kitchen, where
the next generation of Bournville products are dreamt up.
Environment Secretary said:
As we leave the EU, we have a great opportunity to make sure
our food and farming industry is leading the way in modern,
creative thinking.
An innovative industry is a resilient one, and by investing in
new technologies and ideas we can make sure we continue to
thrive on the global trading stage and build on our renowned
reputation as a great food nation.
Last year Defra launched the first ever Food Innovation
Network to connect food producers across the country
with world-class facilities such as test-kitchens and
laboratories to help them create new products and production
methods.
The government has also invested £160 million through
the Agri-Tech
Strategy to improve the flow of ideas and solutions from
the laboratory to the farm, as well as £90m to support the
creation of four Centres of Agricultural Innovation. These
centres will help turn agricultural innovation into commercial
opportunities, stimulating inward investment and helping
revolutionise future farming practices.
Each year the food chain brings more than £110 billion to the UK
economy, with exports hitting a record £20 billion for the first
time last year. More than £620 million worth of chocolate was
exported around the world, with shipments going as far afield as
Australia and the US.
