In conjunction with the Food and Drink Federation, FFB has created [a web page] (http://www.fdf.org.uk/exports) which signposts other organisations that offer export support to British food and drink companies.
Designed to aid current and prospective food and drink exporters, the web page covers key areas of activity formerly carried out by FFB, such as UK-based support, in-market support, the British pavilion at international food and drink trade shows, and publications.
[The web page] (http://www.foodfrombritain.com) will be available from April 2009 in order to ensure that companies that are unaware of FFB’s closure are able to locate remaining support.
‘Resources for Exporters’ highlights which trade organisations companies based in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales can turn to for support and advice on how to develop their businesses internationally.
In-market support offers information about the in-market support that the Food from Britain International network and UK Trade and Investment can provide to British food and drink manufacturers. Business for the Food from Britain International network will continue as usual after the closure of FFB in the UK.
Information about the future of support for exporters on the British pavilion and international food and drink trade shows is also detailed on the site.
UK Trade and Investment recently announced that responsibility for the British pavilion at key international trade shows previously handled by FFB has been passed over to a selection of experienced show organisers.
Companies interested in accessing Food from Britain’s publications can continue to do so at the UK Trade and Investment’s website. Information on how this can be found is in the Publications section of the new FDF-hosted web page.
Commenting on the new signposting web page, John Adams, CEO at Food from Britain, said: “Since the decision was taken in March 2008 to close FFB on 31 March 2009, we’ve worked hard to map out the future landscape of support that will be available to exporters after that date. Our aim is to ensure that companies wishing to expand their overseas business are directed to organisations that can help them.
“We want to emphasise the fact that there will be support for anyone in the food and drink industry that wants to either start or continue to export their products, and that this is how you go about it. The fact that the web page will be available via FFB will ensure that companies unaware of FFB’s closure are not left in the dark about remaining support.”
Julian Hunt, FDF director of communications, added: “Food from Britain has provided an invaluable service to the UK’s food and drink industry over the years and we will all be sad to see the organisation close. However, exporting will continue and we’re here to show current and future exporters the way forward. While nobody could ever replace the decades of specialist knowledge acquired by the FFB team, we hope that we can go some way to reassuring exporters that, while the services may be a little more fragmented, help is still at hand as and when it’s required.”
Source: Food from Britain
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