Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced a new government review into unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain, claiming it will give arable farmers stronger protections and a government priority.
The eight-week consultation, launched today (Wednesday 10 December), will seek views on issues such as clarity of standards, sampling and testing procedures, supply volumes, data sharing and dispute resolution, to inform proposals for clearer contracts and fairer treatment for producers.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Farmers should have confidence that the contracts they sign are fair and transparent and work as they should.
“Our strong food system needs to be built on solid foundations with farmers treated fairly. This consultation is a chance for growers to tell us where changes are needed in their supply chain.
“By improving clarity and ensuring fair and transparent contracts, we’re backing British producers through our Plan for Change, strengthening our food security and supporting a resilient future for the sector.”
The action forms part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers and builds on Fair Dealing rules already introduced for dairy and pigs, with work underway for eggs and fresh produce. The government is committed to tackling contractual unfairness wherever it exists through its Fair Dealings Regulations, which are enforced by its Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.
The Government suggests the launch of the consultation also complements wider work to protect farmers in trade deals, strengthen supply chain resilience, lower costs for consumers, and deliver a thriving, innovative food sector through the Good Food Cycle.
The NFU sees the consultation into unfair practices as an opportunity to address the current imbalance of power and give arable farmers a stronger voice and fairer terms. It wants growers to engage with the consultation.
The NFU has been campaigning hard for the Government to review fairness in the crops supply chain and bring the sector in line with the dairy and pigs’ sectors.
NFU Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows said: “For too long, there has been an imbalance of power within the combinable crops supply chain, with growers being treated unfairly and shouldering the largest burden of risk.
“That’s why we have been campaigning hard to persuade the Government to tackle unfair practices, so growers have a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce.
“As we set out in the NFU’s Harvesting Growth strategy, this must include clear, fair and transparent contracts which would boost farm business confidence and allow us to make informed business decisions which would help improve profitability and drive long-term investment and growth.
“We are an important part of a farming industry that delivers for the nation’s largest manufacturing sector, food and drink³. I’m confident that, through this consultation, we can make the crops sector stronger and more resilient, where fairness and trust are paramount, so UK growers can continue producing sustainable food for 70 million consumers.
“We will be consulting widely with our members to get a range of views that will form the basis of our submission to the Government. Arable farmers should also fill in the survey and ask fellow growers to do the same. This is a fantastic opportunity to set out our case for a change of culture to build a better future for the UK combinable crops sector.”
