A parliamentary committee is launching an enquiry into 'Brand Britain' and how the campaign will successfully promote British agri-produce post-Brexit.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee is launching the inquiry, looking at the government's promotion and marketing of British food and drink.
It will focus on the current success of the Food is GREAT campaign, how the UK government is working with industry partners to help build global recognition of UK excellence in food and drink, and identifying and opening new markets to UK products.
The EU is the UK’s single largest trading partner in agri-food products, accounting for 60% of exports. Post-Brexit, the Government will need to maintain and build trade relationships with the EU.
The Government has also signalled it is looking to strengthen ties with countries outside the EU like China, India, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Food is GREAT campaign, led by Defra, is a global campaign to promote and market British food and drink around the world.
The Great British Food Unit was established in 2016 as part of the five-year Great British food campaign.
Buy British
At home, there is a growing awareness and appetite for British products among consumers. However, there is still some way to go.
A recent consultation found that while 77 per cent of people surveyed think it’s important to support British farmers, 60 per cent say they try to buy British, but less than half would pay more for British food or habitually check labels to see where their food is coming from.
Neil Parish MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said: “Trade is vital to the UK’s economy. Our food and farming industry generates over £110 billion a year, and employs one in eight people in the UK
“It is essential that the Government takes steps to build Britain’s global brand for food and drink, and works with industry to promote our food and drink excellence around the world.
“Our inquiry will assess the merits of the Food is GREAT campaign, and its success in promoting British products at home and abroad.”
