Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association delivered the prestigious London City Food Lecture in London’s Guildhall this week.

The City Food Lecture is one of the most prestigious events in the UK food industry’s calendar.  It brings together industry leaders, academics and members of leading food companies for an annual, invitation only event focusing on the future of the industry.

This year’s lecture was prepared by Chris Elliott, Professor of Food Safety and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University. The wide-ranging address covered the UK’s growing dependency on importing food and the effects of a £20billion balance of payments agri-food deficit.

Speaking at the event, Michael Bell said:

“Food and drink is a vital part of both the Northern Ireland and wider UK economy and events like this are important forums for highlighting the challenges our industry faces in the years ahead.

“It was an enormous privilege to deliver a lecture where previous key note speakers have included industry stalwarts including Sir Terry Leahy, Justin King and John Sunderland. I’d also like to thank Professor Elliott for his work in preparing the lecture which I am confident will spark informed discussion and positive action in the months ahead.”