FDF boss urges food industry unity ahead of attacks
Quoting aged downbeat songster Leonard Cohen, Wright predicted “truth” and “lies” will be talked about the food and drink industry in the months ahead.
It was crucial the industry responded to the attacks on it with one voice, the federation’s director general told the FDF Awards on Monday night (September 7) in London.
Leonard Cohen "talks about facts and lies [in his song Nevermind – see lyrics below]”, said Wright. "It is really important that everyone [does what they can to ensure the debate] will be told in facts, not lies.”
Commenting after millionaire TV chef Jamie Oliver collected more than 100,000 signatures in support of a tax on sugary drinks, Wright said an important debate about the food and drinks industry was taking place.
‘Won’t be coming for one company’
“I’d encourage you to think of an attack on one [part of the food industry] as an attack on the many. If we show any lack of unity, they won’t be coming for one company, they will come for all – and we shall all face the fight.”
Wright urged his audience to speak up for the food and drink sector, in answer to its many critics. “It’s a crucial debate for the future,” he said.
“We should be proud of this industry and what it represents. We don’t want it to be belittled in any shape or form.”
‘With facts and lies’
The FDF leader's favourite Cohen song contains the lyric:“The story’s told with facts and lies.” Another line states: “There’s truth that lives and truth that dies.”
Unity plea
“ ... they won’t be coming for one company, they will come for all – and we shall all face the fight”.
- Ian Wright, FDF
Oliver's online petition, calling for a tax of 7p on regular-sized cans of soft drink, collected more than 120,200 signatures. Parliament has pledged to consider all petitions that gain more than 100,000 signatures.
Fiona Kendrick, Nestlé UK and Ireland boss and FDF president, said later in the evening that UK food and drink manufacturers were “inspiring and leading the world”.
Among the award winners was the nation’s largest independent cheese producer Wyke Farms. Md Richard Clothier collected the Environmental Leadership award for “a master class in green operations”.
Meanwhile, the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEA) will take place at the Lancaster Hotel in London on Tuesday November 3. More information about the carnival-themed, gala celebration of food and drink manufacturing is available here.
Watch Waitrose technical manager Jonathan Bayne sum up the quality of this year’s awards here.
Leonard Cohen's Nevermind
“The war was lost
The treaty signed
I was not caught
I crossed the line
I was not caught
Though many tried
I live among you
Well disguised
I had to leave
My life behind
I dug some graves
You’ll never find
The story’s told
With facts and lies
I had a name
But never mind
Never mind
Never mind
The war was lost
The treaty signed
There’s truth that lives
And truth that dies
I don’t know which
So never mind
Your victory
Was so complete
That some among you
Thought to keep
A record of
Our little lives
The clothes we wore
Our spoons our knives
The games of luck
Our soldiers played
The stones we cut
The songs we made
Our law of peace
Which understands
A husband leads
A wife commands
And all of this
Expressions of
The Sweet Indifference
Some call Love
The High Indifference
Some call Fate
But we had Names
More intimate
Names so deep and
Names so true
They’re blood to me
They’re dust to you
There is no need
That this survive
There’s truth that lives
And truth that dies
Never mind
Never mind
I live the life
I left behind
There’s truth that lives...
I could not kill
The way you kill
I could not hate
I tried I failed
You turned me in
At least you tried
You side with them
Whom you despise
This was your heart
This swarm of flies
This was once your mouth
This bowl of lies
You serve them well
I’m not surprised
You’re of their kin
You’re of their kind
Never mind
Never mind
The story’s told
With facts and lies
You own the world
So never mind
Never mind
Never mind
I live the life
I left behind
I live it full
I live it wide
Through layers of time
You can’t divide
My woman’s here
My children too
Their graves are safe
From ghosts like you
In places deep
With roots entwined
I live the life I left behind”.
