Minister visits factory to see prospects for sugar reform
In the wake of last month’s EU decision to scrap sugar quotas, Food and Farming Minister David Heath visited the Coca-Cola Enterprises factory in Edmonton, North London, to see for himself what difference it will make.
David Heath met a delegation from the UK Industrial Sugar Users Group, representing food and drink manufacturers, to discuss how more competition in the sugar market will cut costs and promote efficiencies in the food and drink supply chain.
Gavin Partington, Director General of the British Soft Drinks Association, speaking on behalf of 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.”
Steve Adams, Group Director, Supply Chain Operations, Great Britain at Coca-Cola Enterprises, said:
"At CCE it is our aim to set an industry standard in efficient and responsible manufacturing. Both the EU's recent decision regarding sugar quotas and the new Soft Drinks Roadmap will greatly contribute to our efforts and we were delighted to welcome David Heath to our Edmonton facility to see sustainable manufacturing in practice."
Food and Farming Minister, David Heath said:
“EU sugar quotas, which are driving up the wholesale price of sugar by as much as 35%, are a prime example of the kind of barriers to growth that Government is working hard to remove.
“I came here today 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 grow economically and compete in the global race.”
