UK to introduce food enterprise zones to help local food producers

The UK Government is to create several food enterprise zones (FEZs), which it hopes will boost economic activity for food producers and the countryside.

According to a government announcement, these new zones would free-up food and farming businesses, making it simpler and easier for them to grow and attract new business, as well as create new jobs and give an opportunity to develop local produce.

These FEZs would also ensure expansion of businesses, while allowing communities to protect their valuable countryside. They will also have the potential to allow more local decision making on planning and development on food and farming related issues.

UK Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "Food enterprise zones will help unlock the potential of local food and farming businesses, boosting local economies and attracting more investment.

"Consumers both here and abroad want to buy Great British food. These zones will ensure we can grow more top-quality produce and expand our food industry, which is worth more than £100bn a year to the UK economy, more than cars and aerospace combined."

The government will give grants of up to £50,000 to set up FEZs. As wekk as from attracting investment, the Food Enterprise Zones will encourage closer ties between food and farming businesses that will help boost the domestic food and farming sector.

Currently, about 11 FEZs have been proposed which might later be increased.

The current proposed sites for these FEZs are Somerset, South Downs, Cornwall, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, West Sussex and there FZs in Leicestershire.