A supply chain fairness review tackling unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain has been announced by the government.
The review, which will help producers have clear, fair and enforceable contracts, has been launched as part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers.
It will cover pricing, supply volumes, data and dispute resolution and will “back British farmers to get a fairer return for the food they produce”.
Combinable crops include cereals, oilseeds and pulses that are harvested using a combine harvester.
“British growers work incredibly hard to produce world-class food, and deserve fair, transparent contracts that reflect that,” said environment secretary Steve Reed. “This review is a major step forward in giving arable farmers a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce.
“We’re proud of the vital work farmers undertake every day to feed our nation, which is why we’re investing £5bn – the largest ever budget for sustainable farming.”
The NFU welcomed the review into the sector, saying that members “consistently report that it does not operate fairly, and has not done so for many years, with growers bearing most of the risk”.
“Greater transparency and certainty over the operation of contracts would boost grower confidence and allow us to make informed business decisions which would help improve profitability and drive long-term investment in the industry,” said Jamie Burrows, NFU combinable crops board chair.
The launch follows previous supply chain fairness reviews in dairy and the pork sector, which led to the creation of regulated contracts under the Fair Dealing (Milk) Regulations, which came into effect on 9 July 2024, and the Fair Dealing (Pigs) Regulations, which have also recently received parliamentary approval.
A formal public consultation will be launched, giving farmers and other stakeholders the chance to share their experiences.
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