MP letter to those working hard to feed the nation
George Eustice writes to thank food workers
To those working hard to feed the nation,
In the face of what is perhaps the greatest health challenge this country has faced in our
lifetime, I want to pay tribute to all those who are working around the clock to keep the
nation fed – in our fields, processing plants, factories, wholesalers, stores and takeaways
and all of those moving goods around the country and to our homes.
The last three weeks have been stressful and difficult for everyone working to feed the
country and provide them with other essential items. Food retailers have faced an
unprecedented increase in demand and those working in food production and distribution
have had to work harder than ever to ensure that food and drink are kept on the shelves.
The Government has recently taken some unprecedented steps to close cinemas, leisure
centres and other public venues and to instruct people to stay at home, protect our NHS
and save lives.
However, there are many key workers that are crucial to the resilience of our country. Our
NHS staff will be working harder than ever in the weeks ahead. Those of you working to
provide the nation with food and other essentials are also delivering an absolutely vital
service.
I am in regular dialogue with the food and drink industry and the Government has offered
guidance to employers to ensure that when you do your job, you can do so safely. The
advice of Public Health England is that there is very little risk of the virus being spread on
food or packaging.
Everyone working in the food and drink industry has rallied in an extraordinary way to
respond to this unprecedented challenge. Having worked in the food industry myself, I am
personally enormously proud and thankful for all the work that you have done in recent
weeks, and will be asked to do in the weeks ahead. In many cases you are the hidden
heroes, and the country is grateful for all that you have done.
Yours sincerely,
George Eustice
THE RT HON GEORGE EUSTICE MP
