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Food Processing In Agricultural Regions. Is It A Route To Prosperity? ...


Food Processing in Agricultural Regions.
Is it a route to prosperity?
Table of Contents
Table of Contents2
Chapter 1 Introduction3
Chapter 2 Background6
UK Agricultural Industry6
UK Food Processing Industry10
Chapter 3 Literature Review12
Chapter 4 Research Methodology17
Choice of research approach17
Selected areas case study19
Chapter 5 Findings, Analysis and Discussion20
Conclusion and Recommendations33
Bibliography35


Chapter 1 Introduction
Agricultural regions in any country, including the United Kingdom, have historically been seen as poorer neighbours to the more industrialised areas of any particular country (Pierpoint 1997). This position has been brought about mainly as a result of the fact that pay, employment opportunity and economic output tends to be lower than other areas of industry. The logistical problem in terms of transport and flexibility of workforce is also a contributory factor. Consequently, many agricultural regions have seen a significant decline in fortunes and employment during the course of the past three decades.
In an effort to these problems, governments at local, national and regional levels have been seeking to produce a range of strategies that will support and regenerate agricultural, the results of which have met with mixed levels of success. Irrespective of the help afforded to them, many agricultural areas still remain relatively weak. Where improvements are achieved, often it is at the expense of the agricultural industry itself. For example, promotion of cultural tourism, whilst it may benefit some agricultural communities, does not address the core issues, namely improving the indigenous industry and food production chain.
However, recent studies carried out have suggested that there may be another way to approach the issue. This research, as reported by Peter Pierpoint (1997), suggests that if the development of food processing is encouraged within an agricultural area, it can result in an increased level of prosperity, producing subsequent improvements in employment, economic output and the GDP per head (Pierpoint 1997).
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the hypothesis set by Peter Pierpoint (1997) and to ascertain if the development of food processing in agricultural areas can provide a route to prosperity. To assist with the analysis for this purpose the UK agricultural regions of Cornwall and Wales will be used as case studies, with other agricultural regions within the UK and Europe being used for comparative purposes.
Concentrating on the UK in particular, to enable the goals of this research to be achieved it is intended to focus the paper upon the following objectives: -
Provide an analysis of the historical development of the agricultural industry, paying particular attention to this sector within the United Kingdom.


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