Farmers’ leaders yesterday attacked abuses of power by retailers when it comes to buying their products.
Speaking at the National Farmers Union (NFU) annual conference, president Tim Bennett, said: “When we farmers look up the supply chain we see consolidation everywhere. But I am sorry to say we are seeing more and more abuse of power and there have been some frightening and well publicised examples in recent weeks.”
He said: “In an age where subsidies were being phased out and needed real partnerships with long term contracts and above all realistic prices.”
Instead he said there was too much “baronial feuding rather than open partnership.”
He said the supermarket code of practice didn’t work and a better way forward would be the voluntary buyers charter being developed by the NFU.
“We have been heartened by the positive responses of trade associations but I have to say that unless we get more engagement from actual businesses I can see the political pressure for legislation becoming unstoppable.”
Speaking at the National Farmers Union (NFU) annual conference, president Tim Bennett, said: “When we farmers look up the supply chain we see consolidation everywhere. But I am sorry to say we are seeing more and more abuse of power and there have been some frightening and well publicised examples in recent weeks.”
He said: “In an age where subsidies were being phased out and needed real partnerships with long term contracts and above all realistic prices.”
Instead he said there was too much “baronial feuding rather than open partnership.”
He said the supermarket code of practice didn’t work and a better way forward would be the voluntary buyers charter being developed by the NFU.
“We have been heartened by the positive responses of trade associations but I have to say that unless we get more engagement from actual businesses I can see the political pressure for legislation becoming unstoppable.”
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