Ms Rowena Dwyer:

The Senator asked about the long-term future for these sectors in the UK market. The huge concern prior to 31 December was the potential for a no-deal outcome and tariffs applying to food products in particular. That was avoided, thankfully, with the agreement and now the focus is on how these companies can improve their competitiveness and consolidate their position in the UK market. The mushroom sector is a very good example in terms of the advantage it has vis-à-visproximity to market and who it is competing with. The concerns that the Senator has raised are absolutely correct but the challenge now is not the existential one we thought it might be six or nine months ago.Now the challenge is around how those companies can continue to innovate and be as competitive as possible in order to maintain, as far as possible, their position in the UK market.