Director’s Weekly News – 9th April 2018

Dear All,

Detailed below is the Weekly News for 9th April.

Have a good week.

Reminder-This Week-Free Webinar – Respiratory Sensitisers in Bakeries – 12th April 2018 at 1230

The IOSH Food and Drink Industries Group is pleased to be collaborating with the Federation of Bakers to bring you this webinar on respiratory sensitisers in bakeries. This FREE webinar will take place on Thursday 12 April at 1230 for one hour. More information and details of how to register for the webinar ban be found on IOSH’s Website.

Gordon Polson – Director

 

NOW BOOKING:  FOB Annual Conference 23 May 2018 at One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA

 

CBI Economic summary

  • Official and CBI survey data suggest that manufacturing growth has slowed in Q1, although fundamentals remain firm. While export order books are still strong, we may be starting to see some early signs of the competitiveness gains from the lower pound having peaked.
  • Our latest surveys and member anecdote also give us early indications of how much the recent bad weather may have affected activity, with retailers and construction companies particularly hit hard.

 

 

CBI economic narrative

  • The global economy is growing at the fastest pace in seven years and momentum is broad-based: 120 countries grew last year according to the IMF. A recovery in global investment is fuelling overall momentum and augmenting decent consumer spending growth.
  • In the UK, net trade is being supported by the low pound and buoyant global backdrop, reflected in strong export order books in our manufacturing survey.
  • The consumer continues to be squeezed by higher inflation (consumer spending makes up two-thirds of GDP), which is creating challenging conditions for retailers – our latest survey data shows that retailers were also hit by bad weather in March.
  • Brexit uncertainty continues to apply the brakes to some areas of investment spending, particularly bigger projects, but some investment spending is continuing. Investment spending plans remain weaker than pre-referendum, but are above the long-run average; supported by healthy corporate profitability, low borrowing costs, limited spare capacity and strong global activity. Agreement on a transition period for the UK is an important milestone in the negotiations and may relieve some uncertainty for businesses, but it is probably too soon to predict the overall impact on investment.
  • Our outlook for modest growth in the UK, at a similar quarterly pace to 2017, reflects ongoing weakness consumer spending, with only a modest recovery in real earnings expected. Business investment is expected to grow at a muted pace, as Brexit uncertainty continues to weigh on capital spending plans, while net trade will continue to be supported by the weak pound and buoyant global growth.

 

  • We expect the MPC to raise interest rates by 25 basis points again in May because:
    • private sector pay growth continues to creep up
    • spare capacity is limited in both firms and the labour market
    • years of weak productivity mean that the economy’s capacity to grow without generating inflation has been eroded
    • growth in labour supply is expected to be slower.

 Manufacturing output growth has lost some steam

Our latest Industrial Trends Survey revealed that manufacturing output growth eased in the three months to March, but remained firm compared with historical averages. While total export order books softened slightly (though remained solid), export order books remained strong. However, export orders are down from the multi-year highs seen in recent months, tentatively suggesting that the competitiveness gains from the fall in the pound may have peaked.

Disruptive weather may hit Q1 GDP modestly

Our latest survey data and member anecdote give an early insight into how much bad weather in March has affected economic activity.

The recent cold snap seemed to have hit the High Street, with the CBI’s Distributive Trades Survey showing that retail sales fell in the year to March, for the first time in five months. Growth in online sales also slowed sharply (to the lowest since the series began in 2009), which may have been down to transport disruption hampering deliveries.

The hit from the bad weather comes at an already tough time for retailers, as the squeeze on household incomes bites on activity. Although underlying real earnings growth (deflated using CPIH) edged into positive territory (0.1% y/y) in the three months to January (for the first time in a year), it’s important to remember that they essentially remain flat. Although we expect the squeeze on household incomes to ease somewhat further, any pick up is likely to remain tepid compared with pre-crisis levels.

 

Alongside retail, the construction industry and its supply chain have also reported widespread disruption from the colder weather. Anecdotal estimates so far point to two to five days of lost output over this period, with the majority of projects unable to catch up on this lost work, although housing work may be able to recover to a degree.

Taken together, this suggests that we’ll see a small hit to GDP growth over Q1 2018 (retail and construction are relatively small sectors on their own). Much depends on the degree of offset that we’ll see from other sectors – for example, colder-than-usual weather tends to boost energy output. As an illustration, the Bank of England so far believe that the bad weather will reduce GDP growth by 0.1pp (with their forecast for Q1 growth currently at 0.3%).

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s food price index in March showed grains and dairy gaining with sugar and vegetable oil lagging. It was the second consecutive monthly rise for the index, up 1% on the month and up 0.7% on the year earlier. Cereals rose 12 per cent year on year with wheat prices rising. With dry periods in the US and cold and wet in Europe the higher prices reflect concern about this year’s harvest.

CBI Brexit Update: Last month’s historic handshake on transition has given businesses the much-needed gift of time. For some, though by no means all businesses, it will have real and immediate consequences. And it was proof that progress in these complex and political talks can be based on evidence, not ideology.

But with one year to go until the UK leaves the EU, the clock is ticking – and every day counts. The deal negotiators outline in the next six months will be the basis of a relationship with our closest trading partners that needs to last for generations. In an increasingly uncertain world, this matters hugely.

Last week, as the Government marked the one year countdown, the CBI used its political meetings and media opportunities to state the importance of urgent progress towards the final deal in October, to give business the confidence and certainty they need to plan for the future.
In particular, Carolyn Fairbairn laid out on four key questions that need urgent answers:

  • Irish border: How to deliver a practical solution for frictionless North-South, East-West trading relationships to protect both prosperity and peace?
  • Customs: What new, detailed customs arrangements will be in place, and when will they be in place, so businesses can prepare?
  • Regulation: How close will the UK and EU stay on regulation to ensure business can trade goods with the minimum of burdens?
  • People:  How to deliver a migration policy that works for jobs, living standards and prosperity?

For the attention of makers or sellers of bread, scones, crumpets:

 

 

AHDB Dairy and Dairy UK are running some marketing activity April & May 2018 via PR and social media channels. We’d like to invite you to get involved.

 

The campaign will be under the guise of a spoof Government department: ‘The Department of Dairy Related Scrumptious Affairs’. Activities planned that could be relevant to you are:

 

  • Cheese: We propose to show how the humble cheese toastie is the ultimate food porn

The internet is full of mouth-watering, delicious pictures of melted cheese. Using one of the nation’s simplest, yet most delicious, snacks, a cheese toastie, we will explore if the humble cheese toastie is the ultimate food porn.

 

  • Cream: The Great British Scone Debate

Over the last few weeks, the UK has revealed its passion for the quintessential British scone and the discrepancies that exist around the ‘correct’ way of preparing and eating one. With everyone having their say, including an ex-Royal pastry chef sharing how the Queen enjoys her cream tea, The Department has pledged to settle the debate once and for all, by conducting a scientific, neurological experiment.

 

  • Butter: We propose to come to an agreement on how to butter a crumpet

There are 505,000 Google searches on ‘how to butter a crumpet’, with some people claiming the only way is holey side up, whilst others argue that makes the crumpet too soggy. Using our very own Edd Kimber, Head of Butter, we’ll ask him to put it to his loyal social followers to settle the debate once and for all.

 

How to get involved?

  • Enter the debate on social media (The Department has both Facebook and Instagram channels)
  • PR activity of your own (e.g. investigate which bread is best for a cheese toastie – does brown bread bring out a certain flavour that works with mature cheddar, but for a full on three-cheese toastie experience it has to be white?)

 

Please call or email at your earliest convenience, if this is of interest:

Stu Baker

024 7647 8775

Stu.Baker@ahdb.org.uk

 

National Statistics have today published their report ‘Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet’. The report highlights key findings from published reports with 2016/17 data. Topics covered include obesity related hospital admissions, prescription items for the treatment of obesity, adult and childhood prevalence of obesity, diet, and physical activity levels.

 

There is no new data provided on levels of obesity – data is taken from The Health Survey for England and the National Child Measurement Programme – or diet – data is taken from DEFRA Family Food Survey, Health Survey for England, and the NDNS.

 

The report is presented as summary slides and can be found here https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30258

 

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Article I.             HSE’s Food and Drink Manufacture eBulletin No 26

HSE’s Food and Drink Manufacture Webpages

This free eBulletin from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to provide you with specific updates, news and information that may be of interest to the Food and Drink Manufacture Industry. Please forward this eBulletin to colleagues and associates.

 

Article II.            News from HSE

Article III.          HSE’s MSD Summit, On-demand webcast available NOW!

HSE’s first Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Summit was a huge success! Thank you to all who joined us at London’s QEII Centre on March 21 and to those who followed the event live via our online streaming service. We hope you found the summit both enjoyable and beneficial.

Did you miss it? Sign up for instant access to the video archive of the MSD Summit and watch the event anytime, anywhere. The cost of a virtual ticket is £95 – this will give you access on demand for up to 12 months. You can catch up with all of the keynote speaker presentations, benefit from the latest thinking and solutions for tackling work-related MSDs, hear practical case studies and gain a valuable understanding of the risks arising from the changing workplace and new ways of working.

To watch the summit visit the MSD Summit Webpages.

Section 3.01     HSE urges employers to ‘think again’ before investing in ‘off-the-shelf’ manual handling training

Off-the-shelf manual handling training should become a thing of the past, according to new HSE advice. The web-based advice will help employers decide what type of help they need to tackle the MSD risks in their workplace. It illustrates different approaches with examples, and identifies who may be able to help address their needs. More information can be found in HSE’s Press Release.

Article IV.         Events and Training Courses

Section 4.01     Free Webinar – Respiratory Sensitisers in Bakeries – 12th April 2018 at 1230

The IOSH Food and Drink Industries Group is pleased to be collaborating with the Federation of Bakers to bring you this webinar on respiratory sensitisers in bakeries. This FREE webinar will take place on Thursday 12 April at 1230 for one hour. More information and details of how to register for the webinar ban be found on IOSH’s Website.

Section 4.02     Free Event – Breakfast Briefing – 25th April 2018 – 8am to10am

The Food & Drink Federation are hosting a breakfast briefing on Sentencing Guidelines and Recent Sentencing Decisions. This briefing is aimed at all business leaders in the food and drink sector keen to understand and manage potential risks associated with regulatory compliance, including directors, safety managers and in-house legal advisors. The briefing will be held at the Food & Drink Federation’s Offices in London.  For more information and to book a place, visit the Booking Webpages.

Article V.           Fines and Prosecutions

Section 5.01     Egg producer fined

A Preston egg production company and a joinery sub-contractor were today fined a total of £500,00 with costs of over £2,850 after a worker fell through a roof. More information on the accident and fine can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Section 5.02     Meat production company fined

A meat production company has been fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of over £20,000 for safety breaches after a worker was injured whilst adjusting storage racking. The employee was adjusting the height of shelves on storage racking when one of the lower crossbars gave way. More information on the accident and prosecution can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

Section 5.03     Food manufacturer prosecuted

A London food manufacturer has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of over £1,500 for health and safety breaches after one of its workers was left seriously-injured when the sleeve of his overcoat got caught in a large industrial food mixer. More information on the accident and prosecution can be found on HSE’s Press Release.

 

 

 

Plastics Event: On 8 May 2018, FDF and Campden BRI will host their ‘Plastics in food and drink manufacturing: A sustainable future’ event. The event will look at the main issues currently facing plastic in food and drink manufacturing. Attached is the most recent draft agenda for the event.

 

Topics will include:

 

  • Plastics in the light of the 25 Year Environment Plan
  • Plastics in the circular economy
  • Packaging and waste recycling
  • The future of packaging
  • Reducing plastic throughout the supply chain

 

The event will include speakers from Defra, British Plastic Federation, Campden BRI, WRAP, Veolia, Kite Packaging and Coca Cola European Partners.

 

FDF and Campden BRI members will receive a discount.

 

If you wish to register for the event please go to: https://www.fdf.org.uk/events/sustainability-2018

 

 

 INVITATION

 

FEDIMA and AIBI are happy to invite you to our joint symposium on Bread Promotion Activities in Europe taking place on 18 April 2018 in Brussels.

 

A day dedicated to learn about the importance of bread, get inspired by campaigns, share best practices and more. The event brings together all partners in the bakery sector to discuss ways for the promotion of the bread category across Europe.

 

Get to know our speakers! Martin Lundell

 

Martin Lundell is managing director of the Association of Swedish Bakers & Confectioners and also of “Brödinstitutet”, a company which has the purpose of influencing the public’s opinion about bread.

Previously he has worked as Marketing Director of one of the largest meat and food producing companies in Sweden, responsible for marketing and new product development. He has also worked as a marketing consultant. Martin is awarded several prizes, e.g. best viral campaign in the world and best return on investment in the world. He is also a member of the Government’s board of the strategy for the food and agricultural sector.

During his presentation, Martin will describe how they managed to use disgusting bugs to dramatically strengthen the public’s opinion towards bread.

 

 

 

Our programme outline is as follows:

 

10:15 Part 1 – Perspectives on bread and its promotion opportunities

 

This session will give participants background information and introduce several perspectives on bread in the diet as well as the challenges linked to bread consumption. In addition, we want to talk about the specific EU policy for promotion of agricultural products and how this could benefit in particular the bread sector.

 

Concerns about bread and gluten in our daily diet: Separating facts from fiction (Prof. Dr. Fred Brouns, University of Maastricht)

 

New Promotion Policy for Agricultural Products; the Role of the EU and CHAFEA

(Elodie Clerc, Policy Officer Unit B1, DG AGRI ,European Commission)

 

 

13.30 Part 2 – The different bread campaigns in Europe

 

Get inspired by other bread promotion activities across Europe! The aim of this session is to show participants what promotion possibilities are out there, even on a small scale. Projects and learnings from different countries and/or regions will be presented.

 

Bread & Health Institute Belgium – successful cooperation between science, government and dieticians (Kathou Wagemans – FGBB)

 

Slovenia – Grain initiative (Jana Ramus – Slovenian Chamber of Agriculture)

 

Successful funding of a Belgian/Netherlands Bread project: BreadForEurope

(Zsuzsan Proos – NBC)

 

Sweden – How to use bugs to sell bread (Martin Lundell – Association of Swedish bakers & confectioners)

 

A bread book – An emotional way of bread promotion (Stefan Capelle & Martina Goernemann)

 

Q&A (Jean Christophe Kremer – Secretary General of Fedima)

 

 

15:30 Part 3 – Workshop: setting up your bread promotion campaign

 

We will organize breakout sessions to brainstorm about potential bread promotion campaigns. Participants will have an opportunity to sit together with potential partners in the bakery supply chain to exchange views and ideas for the launch of promotion activities.

 

18.00 – 19:00 – Networking Cocktail in the Martin’s Hotel

 

 

 

Participation fee : 190€ + VAT

 

Find out more on www.breadpromotion.eu and register. We are looking forward to welcoming you on 18 April!

 

 

Best regards,

Fedima Secretariat

 

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Fedima | +32 2 761 16 52  | fedima@kellencompany.com| www.fedima.org