Defra Minister's campus visit

Posted 16 March 2010

Dan Norris, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, paid a fleeting visit to Harper Adams University College today, paying particular attention to the West Midlands Regional Food Academy.

Mr Norris toured the academy, which was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal in December, and learned about its work to support food businesses across the region.

He then met a group of Harper students who are taught in the academy, and asked them about their aspirations for the future and about life on campus.

Harper Adams Principal Dr David Llewellyn said: “Although this was a short visit, it provided an opportunity to us to present some of our work to the Minister and for him to hear the views of the next generation who will work in the agri-food industry.”

The West Midlands Regional Food Academy (RFA) exists principally to support the West Midlands region’s food industry. It has two main functions. Firstly, it provides technical and business support to food and drink businesses in the West Midlands, and particularly those in the SME sector.

Secondly, it works with schools, and further and higher education institutions in the region, to raise awareness and understanding of food and the food industry, and the careers that the industry offers.

For more information see www.regionalfoodacademy.org