Euro-MP Joins 'Save our Sauce' Fight

4.47.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th May 2006

West Midlands MEP, Liz Lynne, today backed the campaign demanding that US food giant Heinz, reverse its decision to move production of HP Sauce away from its traditional Birmingham home.

At a cost of 125 local jobs, the Aston Cross based plant would switch production to its main European plant in Holland by 2007, removing one of the West Midlands most well-known brands.

Euro-MP Liz Lynne, who's constituency covers the affected area said;

"I'm calling on Heinz today to reconsider its decision to move production of HP Sauce abroad. Whilst I am strongly in favour of promoting investment across the whole of Europe, I believe that this decision will be very detrimental to the West Midlands area."

"As the Lib Dem European representative for Birmingham, I am extremely concerned about the potential local job losses. I will be doing everything that I can to ensure that the company rethinks its decision to move HP Sauce from this area."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4774423.stm