DEFRA minister visits soft drinks giant

Heath met representatives from the UK Industrial Sugar Users Group (UKISUG) to discuss how more competition in the sugar market would cut costs and promote efficiency in the supply chain.

His visit followed Common Agricultural Policy changes announced last month​ abolishing EU sugar quotas, thus lifting restrictions on sugar trading.

‘Sustainable manufacturing’​

Steve Adams, CCE group director, supply chain operations, Great Britain, said workers there were “delighted to welcome David Heath to our Edmonton facility to see sustainable manufacturing in practice”.​

Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, speaking on behalf of the UKISUG, said: “For too long, the competitiveness of the industries that use sugar as an ingredient has been hampered by the EU quota system.​

“We congratulate the government on winning the argument in Europe for this long-overdue reform. A more competitive food and drink industry will secure manufacturing jobs in the UK and benefit consumers.”​

Barriers​

Heath said EU sugar quotas were a prime example of the kind of barriers the government was working hard to overcome.

He added: “I came here not only to see a leading company committed to improving both efficiency and sustainability, but also to find out what more government can do to help Britain’s food and drink industry … compete in the global race.”​