UK farming Unions are calling on major retailers' commitment to
support the industry during this difficult time in response to
extremely challenging and disruptive weather this spring.
Exceptional rainfall and a succession of damaging storms have
impacted livestock, arable and horticultural sectors and
disrupted individual farm businesses the length and breadth of
the country. No area of the UK has escaped with lambing,
calving, planting and field work all proving very difficult and
bringing additional cost to the business.
In a joint letter on behalf of the NFU, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru
and Ulster Farmers' Union, it seeks major retailer commitment to
support the industry during this difficult time. The letter
states:
“These challenges come at a time when many of our members are
already struggling to remain viable due to the perfect storm of
sustained and spiralling production costs, low market returns,
and increasing levels of regulation. This latest challenge,
whilst not new, is more acute than ever, and is compounding the
pressure on our members.
“Farmers and growers continue to bear the lion's share of the
risk within their supply chains, and this is unsustainable.We are
in discussions with our respective Governments on further support
to assist the industry in navigating these short-term challenges,
but we also recognise the important role which retailers have to
play in helping the industry to withstand this latest crisis.”
The UK Unions ask major retailers to implement the following
measures in support of their members:
-
Steadfast commitment to local sourcing: We ask
that you honour existing sourcing commitments which you have
made with respect to local suppliers. Sending a clear signal of
support to these producers would send a powerful message and
give comfort at a time where our members' wellbeing is already
under severe strain.
-
Fair Supply Chains: You will understand
average food prices in the UK are already some of the lowest in
the world despite our members producing it to the highest
standards. We ask, therefore, that you respond promptly to any
request from our members for a review of the terms of their
contracts, including price.
-
Flexibility on product specification:
Producing food in these extreme conditions presents a
significant challenge and our members will do their utmost to
maintain their exceptionally high standards of production.
However, in the face of these unprecedented challenges it is
possible that what we produce may now not fully conform to the
exact specification previously agreed. We urge you to show
understanding and flexibility in these circumstances; our food
will still be produced to exceptionally high standards of
quality and safety.
-
Rapid payment of suppliers: One of the
immediate short-term implications for our members is the
pressure on cashflow due to the increasing costs of animal
health, feed and labour. Therefore, ensuring rapid payment to
suppliers across the supply chain will be a significant help to
our members to keep their businesses functioning.
-
Promotion of local suppliers: Your customers
already have a solid commitment to supporting local suppliers
and we know from our own recent research that their commitment
is stronger than ever. We ask that you continue your
promotional efforts in support of local suppliers; we know that
UK consumers want to keep on enjoying the high-quality food
which we produce.
The letter concludes: “It is no exaggeration to say that the
current challenges are some of the most acute the industry has
faced in a very long time, and we need your support more than
ever to maintain food production across the UK and safeguard our
food security. Our members will continue to work tirelessly in
the face of this latest adversity to maintain their high
standards of production and welfare that your customers have now
come to expect. We now urge you to support our members'
efforts.”
