The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is calling on the agriculture and horticulture industry to grasp the chance of establishing a common framework for quality assurance standards represented by a single mark.
A consultation by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is seeking views from levy payers and the food industry on whether they support an investment for a single quality framework branded with a single mark. The NFU is urging the industry to support the proposals.
NFU President Peter Kendall said: “This is a golden opportunity for the industry to send a loud and clear message that we want to see a common quality assurance framework across all sectors, in order to be able to promote the industry standards of production.
“The alternative is to risk an increase in the proliferation of schemes at retail level, all with different standards, as retailers fight over their points of difference. This cannot be what the industry wants and we have the chance to create something cohesive and very positive.
“I believe the Red Tractor scheme has built up the credentials to do the job of a single cross sector framework, but it’s not simply about the logo, it’s about the ability of the agriculture and horticulture industry, in the face of international competition, to be able to differentiate itself through promoting its standards of production.
“Consumers are telling us they are confused by the existence of too many marks and logos. A move to one mark, and a common framework, is the bold step forward the industry must take if it is to respond to those demands.”
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