“Food security is national security, especially as we face an increasingly dangerous world, and we must protect the businesses that keep British-produced groceries on our shop shelves.”
Nick Timothy MP made the comments on the importance of food security following his recent visit to Heygates Flour Mill in Icklingham, West Suffolk.
After meeting the ‘impressive’ team at the ‘productive and efficient’ facility he said it was essential that the Government does more to protect and nurture businesses such as Heygates.
Alistair Gale from UK Flour Millers, the trade association joined the visit.
He commented: “The UK flour milling sector is a critical link in the farming, milling, baking supply chain that quite literally feeds the nation, day in day out. It was great to have opportunity to showcase the ongoing investment at mills like Icklingham that underpin safe and efficient production of this essential ingredient.”
And speaking after the visit, Mr Timothy said: “We should be really proud of our local farmers and businesses in West Suffolk. They take tremendous care to deliver the food that we all need.”
He added:“It was great to meet Claire Marston and Alistair Gale, and I’m grateful to Claire for showing me around the mill, which is rightly her family’s pride and joy. It’s a productive and efficient factory with a very impressive team.
Mr Timothy continued:“This facility churns out large amounts of quality flour each week in a non-stop operation that requires huge expertise.
“Icklingham has a proud milling heritage, with four mills noted in the Domesday Book. The Heygates team is continuing this tradition, and I am delighted that they are.”
Mr Timothy noted that it was crucial that the Government provides a supportive environment for businesses such as Heygates, which works hard to deliver food to supermarket shelves.
He said:“As we face an increasingly dangerous world, food security is national security. Facilities like Icklingham Flour Mill deserve much more support from ministers. Measures such as the Government’s Job Tax only make it harder for productive businesses to thrive, grow, invest and expand.”
Mr Timothy added: “I also remain concerned about the effects Government policies such as the Family Farm Tax will have on food security. Family farms will be split up and sold off and there is no guarantee land sold will be used to grow food, risking food price increases and more food being imported.”
