The continuing struggle farmers face to make a profit has led some to take action, sparking protests from milk producers across the country. With government legislation still not in place, the problem has been ignored for far too long and requires urgent action to protect British food producers and suppliers.
Once again the National Beef Association is calling for action over the issue, demanding the introduction of a Watchdog to regulate the industry as suppliers struggle to cope with the demands for ever cheaper produce.
NBA Chief Executive Chris Mallon says ‘The NBA first brought attention to this issue 15 months ago and so far nothing has been done. We firmly believe that the only thing that will restore confidence to food producers is the regulation of the industry. It is clear that in some areas of the industry frustrations are boiling over and changes need to be made.’
For Chris, protecting the future of Britain’s diverse food producers involves a solution based on finding a sustainable solution to the current battle over prices many farmers face, something which significantly eats into profit margins. ‘It cannot be one section of the supply chain that retains all the profits, we need to re-evaluate the current system and find one that benefits all parties’.
It is clear to Chris and all at the NBA that transparency is crucial to restoring trust within the industry. While the damage done is not irreparable, action is nonetheless overdue on regulating the entire agricultural industry.
