Bearing brunt of rece ss ion.

DELEGATES from farming and the food sectors are coming together to discuss how their industries are tackling the recession.

The English Farming and Food Partnership's (EFFP) sixth annual conference will hear from speakers including Marc Bolland of Morrison's, Jonathan Warburton from Warburtons Ltd and Tim Slater of the DHL Supply Chain.

North East EFFP regional manager Doug Gray said: "A number of the business leaders speaking will describe how their companies are bucking the trend and continuing to grow through the recession, while others are planning to be brutally honest about how their organisations are facing the challenges."

Senior managers from McCains, Fresca, Dairy Crest and premium sausage manufacturer Debbie & Andrew's will take part in a panel debate and explain how they have identified opportunities to invest and diversify despite the downturn.

EFFP chief executive Sin Roberts said: "The food chain's first priority is to secure its raw materials and the sector has no choice but to think and act more strategically about their supplier relationships and be prepared to embrace the necessary changes.

"Our track record is that a heck of a lot of business goes on at the EFFP conference, and often between businesses that previously didn't have a relationship." The event -Routes out of Recession -takes place on November 3 in London. For booking details, go to www.eff.com/routes.

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CONFERENCE Doug Gray.