MAFF polls trade to boost relations
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) is seeking advice from the hospitality industry on how it can improve its relationship with the catering sector.
It wants to develop communications with the industry so it can increase its understanding of how it operates. This would enable agriculture minister Nick Brown to dedicate more time and effort to promoting catering.
"I am determined to do what I can for caterers. Joining up the food chain means collaborative working between all partners. The Government is here to help," he said.
A report published last week admits that the Government has "poor sector knowledge", and that attempts to form an industry council of associations "seem to have floundered".
MAFF now wants to form a catering committee with hospitality groups. The committee, chaired by MAFF, would meet three to four times a year to discuss legislation and other issues affecting the industry.
It has already written to companies such as Bass and Sodexho and to the British Hospitality Association, asking for their views on its report, MAFF Sponsorship of the Catering/Foodservice Sector.
For copies of the consultation letter and the report, or to submit comments, e-mail Marina Fimmel at MAFF on m.fimmel@fdi.maff.gsi.gov.uk.
by Louise Bozec