It came during an NFU grower meeting at the East of England showground today (Tuesday 18 June) attended by over 350 people, many representing multiple growers, and follows NFU Sugar rejecting the British Sugar price offer announcement of £30.67/t during Cereals last week.
In a motion proposed from the floor, growers agreed to forward contract details and pledges on to NFU Sugar to underline the unified commitment from the sector during negotiations on price.
Addressing the meeting, NFU Sugar board chairman William Martin said: “For many growers the British Sugar price falls short of what they have been asking us for and what is necessary to address concerns of having beet in the rotation. It is good to see that feeling reflected in the room today.
“The sheer number of you here shows the strength of feeling in the sector, and how important it is for us to move forward on this together and with your backing. We have a clear aim, to ensure our colleagues in Europe are not paid more than us for the same product. Why should they be? We are sick of being at the bottom of the European price table. That is something that needs to change.
“So we now move into phase two of negotiations with British Sugar. This demonstration of strength sends a clear signal to them that we are united and we will be expecting a much better price if they want us to agree.
“It is important to remember that it is not down to British Sugar to decide how much our farms are worth, it is down to each farmer individually. I feel very strongly that your farms are worth more than the current British Sugar offer, and we must remain resolute and united as negotiations continue in the coming months.
“Today’s meeting has given us a clear mandate to keep negotiating for a better, fairer price for all sugar beet growers, and ensure that the price you are paid reflects the value of the crop you grow.”