The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Marks and Spencer shifts towards food market
Marks and Spencer is planning a big shift towards food at its stores, and reports say the retailer wants to target the weekly family shop, by having more stores that offer its full range of food. At the moment, it is understood that only around 12 of its stores offer...
Retailers publish low campylobacter in poultry findings
Retailers across the UK have published their latest findings following regular testing for campylobacter contamination in UK-produced fresh whole chickens. The period covered was Q4 - October to December last year. Figures reveal that on average, across the major...
Theresa May to ask EU for Brexit delay
During yet another historic evening at Westminster, MPs voted by 413 to 202 (a majority of 211) for the Prime Minister to ask the EU for a delay to the Brexit deadline. The vote means that the UK may not now leave on 29th March as planned. Mrs May said that Brexit...
Fish continues to flourish
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel has shown that chilled fish continues with solid value and volume growth in the 12 weeks to 24th February. In the latest meat, fish and poultry (MFP) market update, the renaissance of chilled fish...
Commons vote creates industry concern
Westminster saw MPs rejecting the idea of Britain leaving the EU without a deal last night (13/3/19) and clearing the way for Brexit to be delayed. In response, Theresa May said there was a clear majority against a no-deal Brexit, but that the legal default, if no...
Farming and food industry respond to ‘meaningful’ vote defeat
Following the Prime Minister’s defeat in regard to her Brexit deal on 12th March, Presidents of the UK’s four farming unions have urged MPs to take whatever measures are necessary to remove the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement. NFU President Minette...
Publication of no-deal import tariff schedule
The Government has published its import tariff schedule which indicates surcharge levels that will apply in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Responding to the details made available today, NFU President Minette Batters said: "While we are relieved that we are finally...
Arla confirms strategy for carbon zero dairy
Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla Foods, has announced its ambition that by 2050 its operations from cow to consumer will be carbon net zero, with any unavoidable emissions entirely offset by improvements elsewhere in the supply chain. The company says it aims...
Sainsbury’s chairman steps down
Sainsbury’s has formally confirmed that Martin Scicluna has been appointed as its new chairman. The appointment was ratified on 10th March 2019, after current chairman David Tyler stepped down from the Board on 9th March. Sainsbury’s search for a new chairman to...
Yorkshire farmer confirmed as new Minister of State for Agriculture
Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill has been appointed to the role of Minister of State for Agriculture at Defra. Mr Goodwill was formerly Minister of State at the Department for Education from June 2017 to January 2018, but was sacked from the post on 9th...