Sylvia Jay today takes up her post as Director-General of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the voice of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. 

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Sylvia said:


“2001 brings a whole raft of challenges and opportunities for the UK food and drink manufacturing industry.  On the horizon are:



  • Proposals for new EU food legislation;

  • Rationalisation of the industry both globally and at home; and

  • An increasingly important programme of Food Standards Agency activity.

All this comes at a time when consumer confidence in food is fragile in the wake of BSE and the introduction of Genetically Modified foods.


“A healthy and competitive food industry is vital if the UK is to prosper in 2001.  The UK food and drink manufacturing industry:



  • Is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK;

  • Employs around 500,000 people;

  • Buys two-thirds of UK agricultural produce;

  • Has an annual turnover of more than £53 billion; and

  • Exports almost £10 billion worth of goods.

“FDF wants to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with Government, NGOs, regulators and consumers to increase awareness of the food and drink manufacturing industry and to work together for renewed confidence in the whole of the food chain.”


A former senior civil servant, Sylvia Jay has held several key positions within the Overseas Development Administration (now DFID), and was seconded for a time to the French Treasury. She has experience of a number of international organisations, including the European Union and was Political Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.


Background notes



  1. The Food and Drink Federation is the voice of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. It promotes the industry’s common interests; provides advice and assistance on the regulatory, technical or legislative environment and represents the industry to UK and EU legislators and other audiences.
     

  2. FDF’s website address is www.fdf.org.uk


For further information please contact Jackie Dowthwaite or Kate Snowden on 020 – 7420 7131 / 7132