A new food and drink sector council has met for the first time.

The council, comprised of leading figures from across the food and drink sector, will be working with government to boost productivity and make the industry more resilient, sustainable and competitive.

The group, which held its first meeting on Monday, January 29, agreed priorities for the next 12 months, including a focus on boosting skills, agricultural productivity, improving the nation’s nutrition and building on emerging proposals to establish a sector deal - the UK’s UK’s food and drink exports are worth £20bn. It will set up expert working groups to develop recommendations for industry and government.

Among its members are former government minister and Suffolk MP Lord Deben, of sustainability consultancy Sancroft, and Premier Food chief executive Gavin Darby.

Environment secretary Michael Gove said the first meeting of the Food and Drink Sector Council marked “a significant step forward” in supporting sector, which is worth more than £110bn to the UK economy.

“This ambitious partnership between government and industry will secure the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable, affordable and high-quality food and drink,” he said.

“Increasing productivity will also benefit consumers and businesses, creating jobs and providing a real boost to our economy.”