The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) met with senior Government officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to discuss issues affecting members, including increased fuel and energy costs.

BFFF said that its chief executive Rupert Ashby and president Ian Stone had a productive meeting with Defra officials. Ashby and Stone took the opportunity to raise key issues facing BFFF members directly with with the Government, including fuel and energy costs, food waste, labour shortages, the Government’s Obesity Strategy and the 2023 cold water shrimp quota.

Due to an unexpected diary change, the Rt. Hon. Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries was unable to attend the meeting.

A very productive conversation

Commenting on the meeting, Ashby said: “I was delighted to meet with officials as part of the BFFF’s ongoing work in Westminster to raise the profile of the frozen food industry and the issues our members are facing, directly with the government.

“We had a very productive discussion today about several issues which have been causing great concern to our members, including the rising energy prices and the 2023 cold water shrimp quota. I shall look forward to meeting with Minister Spencer at his earliest convenience, as the BFFF continues to work hard on behalf of our membership.”

Stone added: “I was impressed by the hard work of the BFFF team which went into organising the meeting at Defra this afternoon. We have a proud history of representing our members at the highest level of industry and government, and today’s meeting is another demonstration of the tireless efforts of the BFFF to promote the interests of the frozen food industry.

“The Defra officials we met today were very receptive to the points we raised. As a farmer by trade, Mr Spencer seems ideally placed as Food Minister and I anticipate that Rupert and myself will have a strong working relationship with the Minister moving forward.”

The BFFF said it will continue to engage with DEFRA and other government departments, and the association looks forward to working with government ministers and officials.

Today’s meeting comes at the start of the British Frozen Food Federation’s 75th anniversary year.