National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall is expected to stand up today and denounce the UK’s major supermarkets as forcing some of his members out of business with their tough pricing policies.
In a speech at the union’s annual conference in Birmingham, Kendall is due to explain how a squeeze on prices is forcing farmers, especially those in the dairy sector, out of the industry. He will question whether the stores’ commitment to so-called responsible retailing is little more than a PR exercise, and will urge supermarkets to stick to their word when it comes to paying suppliers fairly.
“For many farmers and growers today’s prices are not sustainable, so if supermarkets want to be able to offer their customers the security and quality that comes with a UK supply base, they must firstly understand that the businesses within that supply base must be profitable, and they must also be prepared to shoulder more responsibility and enter in to supply arrangements where efficient producers. And those who add value, can prosper,” he will say.
Speaking during an article in yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph, Kendall also called for the ‘retail monoliths’ Asda, Morrison’s, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to start keeping their promises regarding local and ethical sourcing and environmentally-careful practices.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King and secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs David Miliband will be joining Kendall on stage at today’s conference.
Separately, NFU members now have access to an interactive forum on the union’s website called ‘Have Your Say’.
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