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Food and farming Brexit briefing to be held in Mendip

Food and farming businesses across Somerset are being given the opportunity to learn more about preparations needed ahead of Brexit at an event later this month.

The Government continues to prepare for the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) on October, 31.   To prepare for this, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is working with the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Mendip District Council to deliver a free ‘Ready for Brexit’ event at the Bath and West Showground on Wednesday, October 23.

The event is aimed at businesses within the farming, food and drink sectors and is open to all businesses in the Somerset and South West area. Businesses attending will be able to learn more about the latest information and signposted to technical support and advice to help them prepare for Brexit.

Cllr Peter Goater, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said; “We welcome DEFRA, the NFU and the Heart of the South West LEP supporting local businesses and working with the Economic Development team at the council to put this event on in Mendip.

“It should offer a good opportunity for local businesses in the farming, food and drink sectors to learn more about what they need to put in place in readiness for Brexit.”

The event takes place on Wednesday, October 23 from 12pm-2pm at the Wessex Pavilion, Royal Bath & West Showground.

Alex Stevens, Regional Policy Manager at the NFU, said; “This event is a chance for food and farming businesses to hear the latest advice and guidance direct from government as part of a two-way conversation. Equally, it also provides a forum to share thoughts on the threats and opportunities to come, with a range of businesses all facing the same challenges.”

Those wishing to attend the events should register through the following link:  www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ready-for-brexit-food-farming-tickets-75825705727

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.