The government is planning to launch a Great British Food Unit in a bid to boost food exports.
Set to be unveiled by environment secretary Liz Truss this evening (3 November), the unit will combine the work of UKTI and Defra – including their international network in embassies – to make the government “better co-ordinated and more effective” at promoting exports and supporting inward investment.
It will also be tasked with trebling the number of apprenticeships in the British food industry and increasing the number of UK Protected Food Names from 64 to 200.
The unit is part of Defra’s new five-year Great British Food campaign, which will see ambassadors including chefs Ken Hom and Raymond Blanc, Wensleydale Creamery MD David Hartley and Anglesey Sea Salt owner Alison Lea-Wilson attend trade missions and food festivals to champion British food.
Defra has designated 2016 as the ‘Year of British Food’ and will run a series events throughout the year backed by the launch of a new ‘Food is GREAT’ campaign to “celebrate the best in British food across the UK and overseas”.
It is also planning to release the most detailed data on families’ eating habits ever published, with a breakdown of every National Food Survey since 1974.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Truss said: “The UK has emerged from a dark age in food where too often taste and quality were ignored. We are now transforming ourselves and taking our place as one of the most exciting food cultures in the world, using a unique blend of tradition, innovation and openness.
“I want to harness the talent of the UK’s food pioneers to banish outdated stereotypes and ensure that British produce is people’s first choice to eat here and abroad. With the help of our pioneers, we can continue to build on the success of our food and drink exports, which have doubled over the past decade, to encourage even more companies to sell Great British produce around the world.”
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