Earlier this week, I was pleased to visit the Food Enterprise Park which spans 100 acres and is situated in the Greater Norwich Food Enterprise Zone. The first 46 acres, of which benefits from Local Development Order status, is aimed at promoting and backing food production, processing, and agriculture by fostering the co-location of commercial businesses.
Food security is a crucial issue, and it is vital for the health and well-being of our population.
Ensuring food security means having reliable access to enough affordable and nutritious food. With a growing population and uncertainties surrounding changing climates and global food supply chains, the need to focus on domestic food production and resilience is becoming increasingly apparent.
Food production creates job opportunities in agriculture, food processing, distribution, and retail sectors, contributing to the growth of rural economies and supporting livelihoods in our surrounding farming communities. Additionally, producing food locally reduces the need for imports, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing trade deficits. This can lead to increased income and economic activity within the country as money stays within our local economy.
Given the abundant local workforce available, the primary goal of the FEP is to promote expansion within the agri-food and agri-tech industries and to foster and assist in the processing and manufacturing of food and beverages.
I am pleased to see local innovations such as the FEP giving food production fertile ground to succeed, bringing jobs, expertise, and food security to the region, and the UK.
