21 February 2012

New logo celebrates 100 years of the UK Beet Sugar Industry

Today, a new logo has been launched celebrating 100 years of the UK Beet Sugar Industry by British Sugar together with the NFU, at the NFU AGM.

Gino De Jaegher, Managing Director, British Sugar, said: "We are all incredibly proud of this important milestone.  By continuing to work together, we look forward to ensuring we have a beet sugar industry that drives continued innovation and sustainability for the next 100 years."

The recognition of this significant milestone will be celebrated across a number of events during 2012, including; today within the 'Sugar - Meeting the challenge in the UK Sugar Industry' breakout section; Cereals 2012 - the leading technical event for the UK arable industry whereby British Sugar, the British Beet Research Organisation and the NFU will have a highly visible presence; and a commemorative event at the British Sugar Cantley factory.

British Sugar's Cantley factory, which is located on the Norfolk Broads, was Britain's first modern sugar beet factory and remains one of Britain's four beet factories, playing a vital role in the local rural and agricultural economy.  By seeking innovative ways to minimise waste and maximise the value from the sugar beet crop, British Sugar is recognised internationally as one of the most efficient and advanced sugar manufacturers in Europe.  Across its four factories, it processes around 7.5 million tonnes of beet from 4,000 British growers.

William Martin, Chairman, NFU Sugar Board, said: "100 years of sugar beet processing is a great achievement by the whole UK beet sugar industry.  Growers continue to adapt and improve our sugar beet growing, in the same way as British Sugar has made gains in processing efficiency at Cantley and other factories.  The industry continues to evolve, and we look forward to supplying sugar beet for the next hundred years."

Sugar beet yields have been rising faster than those of any other UK arable crop - 60% since 1980*.  The UK industry has also made significant investments into process efficiencies, research, development and the close partnership that has been developed between beet growers, the NFU and British Sugar.

Further Information:

Sharon Fisher, British Sugar, Corporate Communications
01733 422484
sharon.fisher@britishsugar.com

Chris Wheatley, NFU Sugar
02476 858616
chris.wheatley@nfu.org.uk

*UK Beet Sugar Industry Sustainability Report 2011