Supermarkets in the firing line

THE Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned that there is a growing discontent in the farming community at the way they are being treated by retailers and food processors.
The union says that across almost every sector of agriculture in Northern Ireland, farming has been disrupted by lengthy spells of very poor weather, while rising costs of production are compounding farmers difficulties. The UFU says despite these difficulties, retailers and food processors have shown little or no regard for the problems which farmers are facing, with farmgate prices in most sectors struggling to meet the cost of production.
UFU president Harry Sinclair said: “Whilst the industry has potentially a very bright future, this summer has thrown up some really serious questions about the way farmers are treated in the supply chain. In many sectors our prices are simply not enough to cover costs. It is clear that farmers are struggling with the ongoing difficult weather and now it appears that feed costs are set to rise due to a poor soya harvest in the US. Obviously fuel is another huge bill on farms and as we all know it has risen dramatically in cost in recent years. However no recognition is being given to these factors by retailers and food processors.
“In recent weeks meat processors dropped the price of beef significantly, leaving producers facing rising costs and falling returns. Problems in the dairy sector are also a big concern at the moment with prices at the milk auction falling in seven of the last eight months. Producers in most other sectors from vegetables to lamb would tell a similar story and there will be particular concern in the pigs and poultry sector at the likelihood of rising feed costs.”
The union president concluded: “I am very concerned at the way farmers are being treated. There is an onus on the government to introduce the Supermarket Adjudicator as soon as possible. In the meantime retailers and food processors should heed our warning that there is growing anger in the farming community at ongoing moves to drop prices at a time when producers are struggling with rising costs and difficult conditions. Farmers won’t be taken for granted and every retailer and processor should look much more closely at their farmer supply base and take steps to ensure farmgate prices are sustainable.”
Meanwhile, Farmers For Action Northern Ireland has moved to support the FFA Milk Protest in England by calling on consumers in Northern Ireland to boycott large supermarkets in extended support of Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s calls for the multiple retailers to meet their corporate social responsibility towards their primary producers.
William Taylor FFA NI co-ordinator said: “For far too long dairy, beef and sheep farmers have been the target for profit by the large retailers and large processors. If consumers vote with their feet by staying away from the large retailers and shop at their local family owned supermarkets, butchers, bakers, greengrocers or farmers markets where possible, the corporates will soon get the message.
“We can’t emphasis strongly enough how much we need the support of our loyal customer consumers to support family farmers in their struggle against the multiple retailers.”