FFB statement regarding winding up by 31 March 2009

Lady Jay (Sylvia), Chairman of Food from Britain, said: “We understand the funding pressures on Defra, however we are dismayed at the news of a further substantial reduction in FFB’s grant in aid for 2008-09 and the proposal to stop all grant in aid within three years. We have worked closely with the Department over months to agree a way forward for FFB, on the basis of expected substantial reductions in Government funding for the next three years. Defra’s latest, completely unexpected, decision to phase out Government funding completely invalidates all that work. We shall now need urgently to explore other options and are working with Defra to that end.

“Meanwhile all our actual and potential clients can rest completely assured it is business as usual. The importance of exports to the UK’s competitive economy remains paramount and FFB’s expertise in food and drink exporting remains second to none.”

ENDS

21 February 2008