18 January 2010
On Friday January 16th, George visited Wissington Sugar Beet Factory, Europe's largest sugar beet factory, a key customer of local growers, a major employer in the area and a pioneering example of agricultural innovation.

After the visit, George said:
"Wissington is important to the Norfolk economy not just because it is a major customer for so many local farmers and growers, but because it demonstrates the historic importance and potential of our manufacturing sector to our economy."

"Built in 1929, Wissington is now a pioneer in 'clean' manufacturing, re-cycling its waste and using its heat to warm Britain's largest single tomato glasshouse producing local norfolk tomatoes for our supermarkets.

"A trip around Wissington - and other factories - is a reminder of how important manufacturing and processing industries are to our economy and society. It is places like this which actually turn politicians words on promoting manufacturing, engineering, local food and reduced emissions into reality.

"We ought to be taking more of our school children around places like this to see the huge equipment, technology and food being processed and inspire them to realise how exciting engineering and manufacturing and industry can be."

George Freeman visits Wissington