A blueprint designed to grow the Manx food and drink industry by ?50million over the next ten years has received the support of Tynwald.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan presented his scheme to the Manx parliament yesterday, and said that he was not asking for money but would fund the initiative though existing resources.

Mr Ronan said: 'I believe that to support this strategy is a ‘no- brainer’. What we have before us is a low risk, sustainable plan with potentially high rewards if we can effectively deliver the actions that have been identified as barriers to growth in the industry.

'We all increasingly see the need for a more diverse economy and there is no safer bet thanto invest in our indigenous industries. The growth potential is clear from the detailed research presented in the strategy and there is potential for creation of jobs in a variety of roles, from manual, sales, marketing, product development, retail, catering and hospitality plus a whole raft of supporting jobs and services.'

Watch our report on the strategy at http://www.manx.net/tv/mt-tv/watch/67935/boost-for-manx-food

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