Clive Beddall Ministers are about to receive details of an outline strategic "recovery plan" compiled by Food from Britain and designed to revive international sales of UK food hit by the foot and mouth crisis. The Grocer understands that supporters of the scheme, disturbed by continuing overseas reports of shopper confidence in British food plummeting following graphic TV pictures of animal pyres, are urging FFB to press MAFF to introduce a fast-track agenda for the strategy. As The Grocer reported on April 7, the plan will use the expertise of FFB's 11 international offices and the power of the UK's regional Taste food groups' in a bid to restore market confidence at home and abroad. The first stage is likely to be a detailed assessment of the full effects of the crisis on international markets. FFB will then come up with specific proposals about how it can help exporters win back lost business. FFB is looking to form strategic partnerships with other organisations such as the NFU and the Countryside Agency in order to ensure a coordinated campaign. There are hopes that government cash will be available to fund the initiative, which could begin as early as June. Surveys among international shoppers during recent weeks have shown what many exporters describe as "amazing ignorance" about FMD and its effect on food production. Last week a straw poll conducted by The Grocer in North America confirmed that many US shoppers were avoiding UK food altogether, often confusing BSE and FMD. {{NEWS }}