More than 5,000 people from the UK have written to their MPs as part of Riverford Organic’s Get Fair About Farming campaign.
The campaign, which wants to address the imbalance between growers and supermarkets, has called for the strengthening of the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the creation of a single regulator to protect farmers and ensure fair treatment.
According to research from Riverford, three-quarters of farmers surveyed feel under financial pressure from supermarket buying practices, while 68% say making a living through farming has never been harder.
Seven in 10 farmers surveyed felt the buying relationship between growers and retailers had worsened over the last two years.
The initiative has been backed by Rick Stein, the celebrity chef and restaurateur, and Jimmy Doherty, the farmer and television presenter.
“British farmers are facing mounting pressure from every direction, in the shape of rising costs, unpredictable weather and labour shortages, yet they’re still expected to shoulder all the risk while supermarkets hold the power,” said Doherty. “Farming should be a viable, rewarding livelihood, not a constant battle to stay afloat.”
The television presenter further commented that fair and joined-up regulation was needed to protect farmers and rebuild trust in supply chains.
His comments were echoed by Stein, who said “British farmers deserve fairness and a sustainable system to grow and produce our food – they are the backbone of our food culture in this country.”
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Riverford and farmers call for supply chain regulator overhaul
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Riverford accuses supermarkets of farmwashing with new campaign
On the Get Fair About Farming campaign’s website, under the heading Riverford’s Fair to Farmers Charter, it said supermarkets should sign up to five sourcing principles: buy what you committed to buy; pay on time; commit for the long term; agree on fair specifications; and pay what you agreed to pay.
According to Riverford, 99% of farmers have experienced at least one ‘unfair’ practice including cancelled orders, late payments and unfavourable, unfair or unprofitable pricing.
The government is reviewing the GCA and launched a consultation in May of this year, which has since closed. It is now up to the government to publish the results.
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