George Freeman MP: “Red tape ‘madness’ holding back Norfolk growth”
16th January 2012
Following its discussion during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, on Friday George visited the old Bowes family plant, newly run as Cranswick Country Foods, in Watton to tour the facilities, meet with employees, and consider the issue of unnecessary regulation blocking export to the Far East.
Despite Cranswick Norfolk being one of the largest pork processors in the United Kingdom, representing both household and gourmet brands such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s Finest, Jamie Oliver, Simply Sausages, and Weight Watchers, and having coveted US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval, the plant has been refused export rights by the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) to the Far East on health and safety grounds.
Commenting after his visit on this discrepancy George Freeman said:
“Cranswick Norfolk is one of Europe’s premier pork butchery facilities and together with its group companies across the UK it has won multiple food industry awards. It is one of the biggest employers in Mid Norfolk with 900 staff, recently benefitting from a further £12 million in investment, and as I saw from my visit they hold the importance of health and safety and hygiene exceptionally highly.
The rising average income in countries like China in the Far East are opening up huge markets for the UK, with particular demand in China for what is called the ‘5th Quarter’ – effectively the parts we do not even commonly eat here in the UK. Agriculture and Farming are of major growth potential to Norfolk and it strikes me as ridiculous for the FSA to hinder growth to a company that already represents brands like Jamie Oliver. Red tape madness is not the way for us to create a sustainable recovery.
After discussing the issue with Chief Operating Officer, Adam Couch, and Site Managing Director, Chris Aldersley, I have decided to endorse the points raised by Graham Stuart MP in the House by writing to the Prime Minister and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I shall also be inviting the FSA Director to meet with me to see a solution can be found.”
Hansard text of Prime Minister’s Questions 11/01/2012
