The NFU has secured special access to the capital’s biggest wholesale markets for growers affected by B&Q’s decision to axe several suppliers at short notice.
Growers are being given the opportunity through an exclusive extension of the Business Development Manager Programme, funded by the Greater London Authority and managed by the NFU. It aims to increase the supply of local, regional and sustainable food by working with market traders and businesses within the supply chain.
NFU chief horticulture and potatoes adviser, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, described B&Q’s actions last week as “disgraceful”.
She said: “A number of growers are understood to have been left with thousands of pounds worth of stock on their hands as a result of B&Q’s actions and will be desperately seeking alternative outlets for their produce. As a result of this extension, these growers will exclusively have the chance to access London’s biggest wholesale markets.
“The way that B&Q has treated these growers is disgraceful. Having supplied the retail chain for many years in some cases, growers have been dropped half way through the season, with little or no notice. This sort of treatment offers growers no confidence or stability to make reinvestments in their businesses for the longer term.
“Given that the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and its adjudicator won’t apply to the ornamentals sector, this raises the question of the need for a voluntary code of good trading practice for flowers and plants. This is something which the NFU will actively pursue.”
Find out more about the Business Development Manager Programme here.
You can get in touch with the NFU or the BDMs directly and there is no charge for the BDM’s independent brokerage service, which covers New Covent Garden, New Spitalfields and Western Internationasl markets.
- Ann Geddes - 04/08/2011
This is disgusting and I would have expected a better code of practice from B&Q. I for one will be boycotting them for horticulture produce from now on. There are plenty of alternatives out there and we, the consumer, need to be voting with our feet.
- Cynthia Onions - 04/08/2011
Perhaps then we farmers should shop elsewhere. We are customers as well as suppliers