The Industrial Strategy forms a 鈥榗entral pillar鈥� of the government's growth mission.听The food and drink sector is already worth 拢146 billion to the national bank and supports jobs for more than four million people.
91仓库lobbied government departments hard, including the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), to get agriculture included to help boost its value to the country even further.
Having agri-tech听and precision breeding technology听as areas听of focus within the growth sector plan means there should be greater opportunities for farmers and growers to听contribute听to听the government鈥檚 growth agenda, increasing their ability to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost听productivity and drive investment in sustainable food,听fibre and energy听production.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: 鈥�Since winning the election almost a year ago, the government has repeatedly said it wants to deliver growth. As the backbone of the food and drink industry 鈥� the UK鈥檚 largest manufacturing sector 鈥� farming is in a great position to contribute to this.
"罢丑别听UK agriculture sector is world class with innovative and tech-hungry farm businesses. With the right investment, farming has the potential to be a key driver in future growth and that鈥檚 why we have been pushing hard for it to be included in the Industrial Strategy. We already have proposals within our Blueprints for Growth to support the government鈥檚 goals and intend to feed these in as part of next steps.
鈥淭his focus on agri-tech should help farming businesses become more productive, sustainable and resilient, and ultimately deliver even more for the British people and the government鈥檚 growth ambition.鈥�
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Notes to editor:
Within the Industrial Strategy, there are eight growth sectors:-
- Advanced manufacturing - this comprises of automotive, aviation, advanced materials, batteries and agri-tech.
- Clean energy
- Creative industries
- Defence
- Digital technologies - this includes precision breeding
- Financial services
- Life sciences
- Professional and business services
More on the NFU Blueprints for Growth here.
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