Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliament Candidate, is backing the Government’s action to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their products by tackling contractual unfairness that can exist in the agri-food supply chain. Stuart has welcomed the launch of a review into the horticulture supply chain, which seeks to improve fairness in the fresh produce supply chain.
The Fresh Produce Supply Chain Review was launched on 14 December and delivers on a key commitment made by the Prime Minister at the ‘Farm to Fork’ Summit in May - to ensure that British farmers and growers receive a fair price for their products. The Agriculture Act 2020 introduced the ‘Fair Dealings Powers’ which are designed to address any unfair practices, enabling the UK Government to introduce legislation to regulate the relationship between producers and buyers where necessary.
The powers in the Act enable Ministers to introduce statutory codes of contractual practice, which would apply to businesses when purchasing agricultural products directly from farmers. The review seeks the views of industry on issues including the fairness of contracts between producers and purchasers in the sector, and how supply chain data can support transparency in the negotiation process.
Backing our farmers is a key part of Stuart’s plan for South Shropshire, in recognition of the challenges they have faced in recent years including increased energy, fuel, and labour costs which have raised concerns about the fairness of the UK supply chain and, in some cases, lead have producers away from the industry. Production of fruit and vegetables often occurs in rural areas such as Shropshire, and provides valuable income and jobs in these rural communities. The horticulture industry contributed £3.3 billion to the UK economy in 2022, with more than 3 million tonnes of over 300 different fruit and vegetable crops grown domestically.
The review will gather evidence about how contractual arrangements in the fresh produce sector function, whether there is a need for further legislation to oversee the relationship between producers and purchasers, and whether the fresh produce supply chain could be improved and how - including whether the supply chain can be made more transparent.
Stuart said that the review is an important step towards providing more support for fruit and vegetable growers across the UK and helping meet the Government’s target to keep producing 60% of the food that we consume here in the UK. It builds upon a series of reviews that have taken place, or are currently underway, to improve fairness in the pork, dairy, and egg supply chains.
The Government has committed to maintain the farming budget for England at £2.4 billion per year throughout this Parliament in a way that will support farmer's resilience and food security for years to come. It is also boosting food and drink exports by hiring five new agricultural attaches to tackle barriers to markets and backing industry-led action to support customers to ‘Buy British’ when shopping online. Details about the funding available can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers.
Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate, said: “Backing our farmers is a key part of my plan for South Shropshire. They play an integral role in our rural economy and should be paid a fair price for their high quality produce. That’s why I welcome this review into what can be done to improve fairness in the fresh produce supply chain. This review is an important step towards providing more support to meet our target to keep producing at least 60% of the food we consume here in the UK. I would encourage everyone to have their say.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables. Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country.”
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I’m committed to backing British farmers and growers, and it’s only right that producers should be paid a fair price. This review will help ensure that is the case, as well as delivering on our commitments from the Farm to Fork Summit to provide greater stability and resilience for the fresh produce sector.”
This is an open consultation. Responses from all stakeholders with a link to the fresh produce sector will be welcomed. The review run until 22 February 2024. The Government will then analyse the responses and provide a formal response that provides a summary of the findings and sets out next steps. More details, including how to take part, can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/review-to-increase-fairness-in-the-fresh-pro…;
