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Helen Whately Excerpts
Thursday 17th December 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Helen Whately Portrait Helen Whately (Faversham and Mid Kent) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming Taittinger and Hatch Mansfield’s new venture to produce sparkling wine in my constituency, and will she take steps to ensure that policy across Government supports the growth of the English sparkling wine industry?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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It is no surprise that even the French want to get in on the action in the English sparkling wine industry. Using DEFRA’s data, we have identified an additional 75,000 acres across the country that are suitable for producing sparkling wine. That is the equivalent of the champagne region, so I am sure that the industry will go from strength to strength.