Defra has said the review will cover pricing, supply volumes, data, and dispute resolution adding that a formal public consultation will be launched which farmers and stakeholders will be able to feed into.
The review follows reforms already made in other farming sectors, including the Fair Dealing (Milk) Regulations, which came into effect on 9 July 2024, and the Fair Dealing (Pigs) Regulations which has received parliamentary approval.
NFU Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows said: “The NFU has long called for fair dealing in our food and drink supply chains to sustainably support British farming.
“Greater transparency and certainty over the operation of contracts would boost grower confidence and allow us to make informed business decisions.”
NFU Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows
“NFU members in the combinable crops supply chain consistently report that it does not operate fairly, and has not done so for many years, with growers bearing most of the risk.”
Key priority for NFU Crops Board
Fairness in the supply chain is one of the NFU Combinable Crops Board's six key priorities and forms a key cornerstone of the board's 'Harvesting Growth' strategy for building a stronger future for combinable crops.
NFU members have said there is a lack of transparency and fairness within the supply chain, with growers bearing most of the risk despite receiving the smallest proportion of value.
“Greater transparency and certainty over the operation of contracts would boost grower confidence and allow us to make informed business decisions which would help improve profitability and drive long-term investment in the industry,” Jamie added.
Defra Secretary Steve Reed said the review is a “major step forward in giving arable farmers a stronger voice, better protection, and fairer returns for the food they produce”.
The NFU will gather the views of its members and looks forward to responding to this consultation when it opens later this year.
Alongside this, the rest of the supply chain can play its part; NFU members are encouraged to share any issues they have had via our contract fairness hub.
