The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is increasingly dependent on whether or not the country remains in the EU, according to the chairman of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign.

Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of the campaign and who held the same chair position as the head of Marks & Spencer, says that remaining in the EU is "vital for the success" of the sector, reports Food Manufacture.

In an article Sir Rose wrote for Food Manufacture he stated: "Trading in the single market allows us to import and export goods easily with a customer base of 500 million."

As he had a top-level position in M&S Rose claims to have experience that shows the benefits that being in the EU has provided to this industry.

Food and agricultural exports from the UK to the rest of the EU were worth £11.4 billion annually and Europe takes 60 per cent of UK food and agricultural exports.