The question of how to attract young talent into the industry dominated discussions at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Big Food Debate.

Delegates with an interest in agrifood gathered at Grimsby Institute on Friday (25^th  November) for the fifth event in the LEP’s Big Debate series looking at the important issues affecting the area.

The panel, chaired by Lincolnshire farmer and Greater Lincolnshire LEP Board Director Mark Tinsley, was made up of Greater Grimsby MP Melanie Onn, the MP for Cleethorpes Martin Vickers, Martin Collison from Collison Associates and the Managing Director of potato firm Branston, James Truscott.

 Commenting on the debate, Mark said: “To ensure the economic interests of Greater Lincolnshire are represented, we as a LEP need to know what people think which is why we launched the Big Debate series. So far we’ve had discussions about the Midlands Engine, devolution and food and farming.

“Today’s Big Food Debate followed on from one we held in Spalding earlier in the year and we were delighted to welcome so many people, including our panelists, who all spoke passionately about the issues affecting the industry.

“People’s main concerns focused on attracting young talent into a sector, which is perceived by many to be low paid, and retaining skills in Greater Lincolnshire. The contribution migrant workers make to the sector was also acknowledged by the panelists and it was clear that people working in the industry also wanted to see more investment in research and development.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended for their participation; their comments will not only inform the LEP’s Agri Food Sector Plan but hopefully be fed back to government.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a private and public sector partnership led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
• One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming, tourism and engineering.
• It includes North and North-East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire and is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
• Visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk for more information.

For media information please contact:
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star
01522 528540
07780 735071
jez@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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