An All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry Group has been launched this month. The group has a broad remit, including providing a forum for debate and discussion for industry issues, such as increasing food prices or the impact of the food industry on the environment. It also aims to raise the awareness of these issues in Parliament.

The APPG is made up of over 40 Parliamentarians including The Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP, The Rt Hon Nicholas Brown MP and Lord Haskins, and encourages new members.

Bill Wiggin MP, chair of the APPG Food and Drink Manu- facturing said: "I’m honoured to have been appointed as chair of this important group. The food and drink manufacturing industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK, employing 470,000 people. A key aim of this group will be to see that this significant industry is supported and represented in important policy debates about its future."

Linda Riordan MP and Tim Farron MP are confirmed as vice-chairs, alongside secretary Sharon Hodgson MP and treasurer David Taylor MP.