Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced that a review into combinable crops contracts will be undertaken, built on the Fair Dealing reforms in the dairy, pig, egg and fresh produce sectors.
The eight week consultation will seek views on issues including clarity of standards, sampling and testing procedures, supply volumes, data sharing and dispute resolutions, with the aim to ensure that growers receive a transparent price and understand the factors that influence it.
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.”
Consultations close on the 4th of February. Producers, processors, traders and other stakeholders are invited to submit their views at consult.defra.gov.uk/supply-chain-fairness/combinable-crops/
‘A stronger voice and fairer returns’
Responding to the announcement, the NFU said that it was a real opportunity to address the current imbalance of power and give arable farmers a stronger voice and fairer terms.
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 government to tackle unfair practices, so growers have a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce.”
He added: “We will be consulting widely with our members to get a range of views that will form the basis of our submission to 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.”