The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) has set out its plans for working with the government after the 2015 election, and promoting growth in the industry. 

Its paper, Success: Delivering Sustainable Growth Beyond 2015, calls for a new food and drink manufacturing council, robust voluntary frameworks for industry action, as well as a coherent food policy framework which encompasses food safety, security and resilience.

Co-chaired by leading figures from industry and government, the council would set out an agenda for growth and unleash the industry’s full potential to foster innovation to solve key challenges.

It would also target export promotion and create a long-term, industry-led skills strategy that meets the needs of the sector.

Melanie Leech, director general at FDF said: “Food and drink manufacturing is a great British success story and, throughout its history, our industry has embraced new ideas which have transformed consumers’ lives. The industry was resilient through recession and has continued to invest in skills and innovation to reduce its environmental impact and support improvements in public health.

“We have already achieved a great deal in areas such as exports. We ask the next government to build on this success and to work with us to unlock our full potential and in a way which is sustainable and which puts health, skills, resource efficiency and resilient supply chains at the heart of growth to provide safe, affordable and nutritious food for all.”