FOOD & DRINK FEDERATION RESPONDS TO THE UK’S FIRST CARBON BUDGET
PRESS RELEASE
Responding to today’s Budget announcement, Melanie Leech, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said: “The Chancellor has been brave in committing the Government to the concept of carbon budgets in today’s Statement. But there was little detail, which is all the more surprising given the urgent need for Government to engage with industry partners to discuss practical ways of meeting what are very ambitious targets.
“As part of the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector, our members are leading the way on carbon reduction. We are on track to reduce our collective CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010, compared with 1990 levels. But to meet our aspiration for a 30% reduction by 2020, Government needs to work more closely with us on all aspects of the energy efficiency and climate change agenda.
“We welcome the targeted fiscal initiatives announced in the Budget today – particularly the Chancellor’s promise to support a top-up trade credit insurance scheme, ending months of uncertainty about an issue that has become a massive headache for companies of all sizes in our sector. But other aspects of the Chancellor’s budget – notably his decision to increase fuel duty by 2 pence per litre in September – will do little to improve our competitive position.
“Overall, we are disappointed that the Chancellor appears to have ignored the strategic importance of one of the UK’s most successful manufacturing sectors. Our members will play a vital role in ensuring that the UK economy is diverse, flexible and resilient – in today’s challenging economic times and tomorrow’s low-carbon future, where food security will be an ever more pressing issue.”
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