John Mann MP launches food sector reports at Cargill's chocolate facility in Worksop

PRESS RELEASE - 11 October 2010

Each year Cargill supplies 25,000 tonnes of chocolate to the UK market

On Friday 08 October 2010, John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group[1] and member of the Treasury Select Committee, visited the Cargill's cocoa and chocolate facility in Worksop.

John Mann was given a tour of the facility by General Manager, Martyn O'Dare, and he used theJohn Mann MP and Martyn O'Dare, Cargill opportunity to launch two recent reports commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation[2] from the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge[3]. The reports, entitled 'The Value of Food and Drink Manufacturing to the UK'[4] and 'Future Scenarios for the UK Food and Drink Industry'[5] highlight the challenges facing the industry as it looks to maintain the nation's food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand for agricultural products and increasing pressure on finite resources. The reports also identify how industry and Government should work together to ensure the continued growth of the economically-important food and drink manufacturing sector.

Mr Mann said: “I'm delighted to be here today. It's always fascinating to see the site and discuss the changes and transformations that face the UK cocoa industry. Cargill has been an employer in Worksop for many years and plays a valuable role in our community."

“As a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group (APPG), I want to show my support for an industry which offers world class capabilities in production, logistics, sales, marketing and innovation. The food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, and its' importance to the overall economy should not be underestimated. By supporting the industry nationally, we can expect to reap the benefits closer to home in Worksop”.

As the Labour MP for Bassetlaw, John Mann has held the seat for Labour since 2001, where he was voted in with a majority of 8,215. Mr Mann has a long history of working within the Labour Party, deriving from his work as a union official and Labour Party Trade Union Liaison Officer, which allowed him to handle party relations with the unions. Mr Mann was educated in Bradford and graduated from Manchester University in Economics.

A wide range of milk and plain chocolate products are produced at the Cargill's cocoa and chocolate facility, from “stand alone” recipes for chocolate bars to finely designed recipes which compliment the texture and taste profile of biscuits and cakes. The factory has been operational since 2000, it was acquired by Cargill in 2003 and the number of employees currently stands at 25.

Images are available on request. For more information, please contact Sarah Jenkinson or Rebecca Wilhelm on 020 7420 7131/40.

Notes for Editors

  1. The primary functions of the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group are to consider the issues of concern to the food and drink manufacturing industry and to raise awareness of these matters in Parliament, to promote the interests of the industry ensuring Parliamentarians remain informed of key issues, and to provide a forum for debate and dialogue about issues related to food and drink manufacturing.
  2. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk.
  3. The University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), is a division of the Department of Engineering. The IfM brings together expertise in management, economics and technology to address the full spectrum of industrial issues. Its activities integrate research and education with practical application in companies, providing a unique environment for the creation of new ideas and approaches to modern industrial practice. The IfM works closely with industry, at a regional, national and international level, providing strategic, technical and operational expertise to help companies to grow and to become more competitive.
  4. Download the report: Value of Food & Drink Manufacturing to the UK - pdf | 806kb
  5. Download the report: Future Scenarios for the UK Food & Drink Industry - pdf | 3Mb
  6. Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more info, visit www.cargill.com and www.cargillcocoachocolate.com

More Information

FDF Press team
Rebecca Wilhelm rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7140
Sarah Lovell sarah.lovell@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7131