MP group represents wholesaler interests

A group of MPs and peers has been set up to represent the interests of the wholesale supply chain in Parliament.

The All-Party Parliamentary Wholesale Group, which held its inaugural meeting just before the FWD Annual Conference, consists of 25 parliamentarians with a special interest in wholesale and independent retailers. Its stated aims are to "highlight the role and value of the wholesale food and drink industry to the British economy, and provide a forum for discussion of the challenges it faces."

The group is chaired by Liberal Democrat MP Dan Rogerson and will meet four times a year to discuss aspects of the industry and how it can help wholesalers and their customers through the members' parliamentary work. Conservative MP Lilian Greenwood is one vice chair and a second vice chair is Labour MP Brandon Lewis.

In October it will focus on Alcohol Fraud, with industry speakers explaining how this affects wholesalers' businesses. The group will then discuss activities to put pressure on the Government to explore legislative measures to tackle threats to alcohol duties. A second meeting will include FWD members to explain how they are leading on sustainability.

A visit to a wholesale distribution centre is to be arranged and members of the APPG will meet industry representatives at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors' Parliamentary Reception on October 25, which will be addressed by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Jim Paice.

The secretariat for the group will be provided by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors. FWD chief executive James Bielby said: "These MPs and peers have demonstrated their support for our industry and an understanding for the challenges we face, and we are delighted that they will be using their influence to represent our policy positions to their Parliamentary colleagues."