The report highlights the challenges facing the industry as it looks to maintain the nation's food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand for agricultural products and increasing pressure on finite resources.

A new report by the IfM's Centre for Industry and Government on possible future scenarios for the food and drink sector is due to be debated in Westminster.

Senior industry leaders and key stakeholders are meeting to discuss the future development of the UK's biggest manufacturing industry.

The debate – hosted by Nick Bunker, President UK & Ireland, Kraft Foods and Chairman of FDF's Competitiveness Steering Group – marks the launch of the new report. Professor Mike Gregory, head of the IfM, will also speak at the event.

Future Scenarios For the UK Food and Drink Industry builds on an earlier report about the value to the UK economy of its biggest manufacturing sector.

The report highlights the challenges facing the industry as it looks to maintain the nation's food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand for agricultural products and increasing pressure on finite resources. It also identifies how industry and Government should work together to ensure the continued growth of the economically-important food and drink manufacturing sector.

Nick Bunker will call for more leadership from Government and the creation of genuine partnerships with the food sector in order to allow it to continue to grow.

The report was commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation.

Click here to download the report

Read the full text of Nick Bunker's speech