FARMING LEADERS have gone hoarse in recent days calling for “seismic change” in the way food is sold.
Now they have published an action plan to avoid the sector going into meltdown on the back of falling milk and lamb prices.
The plan demands action from retailers, government, farmers and the public:
- Farming ministers need to meet urgently to discuss the crisis and put in place new regulations regarding labelling so “that it is clear and obvious which products are imported and which are British”.
- Retailers must start demonstrating how they are paying as “fair price” for products. Morrisons – one of those to have come in for heavy criticism – is primed to meet farming leaders today, 11 August.
- Shoppers have been urged to keep buying British.
- Farmers were told to “keep visible” and “keep the British public on our side”.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting yesterday, the NFU said voluntary agreements were not working but it was confident that ministers would meet in the coming days.
Retail group BRC told Footprint last week that its members are not to blame for the crisis, urging farmers to turn the spotlight on the foodservice industry.
