MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, has welcomed the announcement of the UK Government’s ‘bounce back’ package of trade measures for the agriculture, food and drink industry to help support businesses that have been impacted by Coronavirus.
The agriculture, food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing industry and plays a vital role in the UK’s food supply chain, which contributed £121 billion to the UK economy in 2018 – supporting around 4 million jobs. In 2019, UK food, feed and drink exports were worth £23.7bn – up 4.9% from 2018.
The measures introduced will support producers, manufacturers and agri-tech companies across the food supply chain, from farm to fork, introducing new programme of physical and virtual events tailored to help a variety of businesses and exporters. These include an overseas virtual buyer trial, a ‘Smart Distance Selling Process’, and a package of ‘Ready to Trade’ Exporting Masterclass webinars.
Simon Baynes MP said:
“The ‘bounce back’ plan is a great example of how the UK Government is supporting vital industries in Clwyd South and elsewhere in the UK during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The industry is so important to our rural economy here in Clwyd South – particularly with our dairy farmers and world-beating milk – and it is reassuring that support is available to help food suppliers at this uncertain time.”
Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Simon Hart MP, said:
“Wales has a proud and growing international food and drink reputation. This bounce-back plan will provide opportunities for Welsh businesses to market their produce around the world and help support thousands of people working in the industry.
“The UK Government said it would do whatever it took to support the people and businesses of Wales through the pandemic and we have produced an unprecedented package of measures to deliver on that promise.”
