Lib Dem MEP condemns HP Sauce Closure

10.21.34am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Aug 2006

Liberal Democrat West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has condemned the final decision by food giant Heinz to move production of HP Sauce from its factory in Birmingham to Holland.

Liz said: "This is terrible news for the workers at the plant and a real loss of tradition for Birmingham and the West Midlands.

"There was no need for production to be moved and it is so sad that all the heritage linking HP Sauce to the area can be so callously up-rooted and transferred away."

Editor's Notes

In an effort to keep HP Sauce in Birmingham, Liz had applied to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to have production of HP Sauce protected under the same European Union rules which protect other regional specialities such as cheeses and wines. This application was refused.