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Call for Farmers to Complete Fresh Produce Consultation

Union welcomes spotlight on contractual arrangements for vegetable, potato and soft fruit growers.

Defra is undertaking a major consultation into contractual relationships in the fresh produce sector and NFU Scotland is urging the nation’s growers to take part.

This latest Defra consultation follows on from similar examinations of the pig and dairy sectors and is part of a UK Government commitment to review supply chain practices.

The consultation will gather evidence from individual businesses about how supply arrangements in the fresh produce sector currently function and explore the nature of relationships in the supply chain. It is also seeking views on whether the functioning of the supply chain can be improved.

It is available to complete at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/supply-chain-fairness/contractual-relationships-in-the-uk-freshproduce-i/

NFU Scotland’s Horticultural chair Iain Brown said: “I welcome a review of the contractual arrangements in the fresh produce sector. It must put in place regulation for a fairer deal for growers including a mutually agreed pricing mechanism, rules to prevent avoidance of agreed contracts and a ban on below cost selling similar to that already in place in some parts of the EU.”

NFU Scotland Head of Policy Team Gemma Cooper added: “This is a UK consultation, but it is hugely important that Scottish growers are well represented. The structure of the consultation is designed for individual businesses to respond, and we urge any Scottish fresh produce grower to take part and give their views.”

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006

Author: Bob Carruth

Date Published: 24/01/2024

News Article No.: 03/24

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Bob Carruth

A dairy farmer’s son, I joined NFU Scotland in 1999 after 13 years as an agricultural journalist. Following spells as a regional manager and policy lead on milk, livestock and animal health and welfare, I became Communications Director in 2008.

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