Greens Back Farmers on Supermarket Milk Rip-off- Fat Cats are Creaming Profits While Farms Collapse
Wed., November 10, 2004. 00:00.
Green MSPs today backed the National Farmer's Union Scotland (NFUS) demand for a fair deal from supermarkets as the union met with MSPs to gain support in the face of ongoing exploitation. Greens are urging parliament to call for an inquiry into supermarkets' conduct in Scotland with a view to developing a legally binding code of conduct. (1)
The Greens' Food Revolution campaign launched last week is aimed at resisting the growing power of supermarkets - power which has resulted in companies paying producers below production cost and, the NFUS claims, 700 dairy farms across the country collapsing (2).
Greens pin the blame squarely on the unfair system imposed by supermarkets (their code of conduct is only voluntary, they often do not offer producers and suppliers contracts) and their stranglehold on Scotland's food production system.
Mark Ruskell MSP, who leads the Food Revolution campaign, said: 'It is time that rural Scotland fought back against the runaway power that supermarkets have on our food production system - Greens want to help farmers reclaim back some control over their business.
"It is nothing short of a rip-off that farmers should be paid less than the cost of production for produce. When you look at the profits creamed off by supermarkets it is clear that this isn't done in the name of cheap prices for consumers - it is done in the interests of supermarket fat cats profiteering at the expense of our farmers. I hope that an alliance between farmers and Greens can develop, and that we work together with all interested parties to demand fair trade and to tackle the mega-retailer machine that seems determined to rip-off Scotland.
'We agree with the NFUS that action is long overdue. An enforceable code of conduct for supermarkets is crucial if we are to save Scottish agriculture from further destruction - we will be pressing for this to be taken forward in the Parliament as a matter of urgency.'
ENDS
For further information, call the Green MSPs' press office on 0771 761 8771/0131 348 6360.
1. Text of motion lodged by Mark Ruskell MSP:
That this parliament supports the National Farmers Union Scotland in its campaign for fair trade with supermarkets; is alarmed at the power of supermarkets to dictate prices below production costs on milk and other products; agrees that the code of practice for retailers needs to be made compulsory and enforceable; that the lack of contracts between supermarkets, processors and suppliers is a major problem that needs rectified; and that there should be a fair trade inquiry into the practices engaged in by supermarkets in Scotland and to report on the effect such practices have on the rural economy and environment, and the livelihoods of people and communities dependent on agriculture.
2. The NFUS claims that supermarkets pay farmers just 17p a litre for milk, while it costs 19p a litre to produce. It is then sold for around 50p. A survey in April by the Milk Development Council found that 23% of dairy farmers plan to leave the sector.
3. The Greens Food Revolution campaign aims to:
- Tighten up planning law and introducing TPRA (third party right of appeal) to make it harder for supermarkets to build or expand stores and extend their opening hours, and to protect green spaces
- Set up an inquiry into supermarkets' conduct in Scotland with a view to developing a legally binding code of conduct.
- Force supermarkets to offer contracts to their suppliers, ensuring basics such as notice periods and agreed terms for farmers.
- Ban the Brands - take advertising out of schools to avoid manufacturers of foods high in fat, sugar and salt targeting young, impressionable consumers.
For a copy of Food Revolution campaign document go to:
http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/policies/FoodRevolution.pdf
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.