MPs call on supermarket bosses to pay farmers fair prices

Almost 50 MPs from across England, Scotland and Wales have signed a letter addressed to the CEOs of the UK’s six largest supermarkets, calling out their unfair practices that are harming farmers. 

Almost 50 MPs signed a letter addressed to the CEOs of the UK’s six largest supermarkets, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons.

The MPs expressed their concerns in regards to supermarkets’ commercial relationship with farmers and growers in the UK. 

The letter reads that stores’ recent public positioning as defenders of UK farmers “stands in contrast to farmers’ and growers’ commercial dealings” with them.  

“Farmers have told many of the co-signed below that their relationship with you is often characterised by your own pursuit of excessive profit, rather than – as you have claimed – a fair business relationship. 

“As you will be aware, British farming is in crisis, and the farming industry is rightly demanding a better deal from the supermarkets that control and dictate much of the UK’s food supply chain. 

“[…] You will also be acutely aware that farmers are ‘price takers’ – taking and agreeing the price for their product, set by supermarkets. Research shows that farmers often receive 1p profit from the food items they produce.  

“This is creating a farming industry that is struggling, and forcing many farmers and growers to rely on subsidies from government,” the document continues. 

READ MORE: Tesco, Co-op and Lidl back farmers in ongoing inheritance tax row 

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READ MORE: Morrisons takes out injunction to stop farmers’ protests

Supermarkets ‘unchallenged for far too long’ 

The MPs added that they value the role that supermarkets play in supporting local and national priorities, but more needs to be done to ensure that farmers receive a fair deal. online. 

“We would be happy to meet with you to understand how you are intending to improve your terms and conditions, and to level the playing field for farmers in the UK, so that they too can get a greater share of the benefits from growing, producing, and selling in the UK,” they concluded.

One of the MP who signed the letter, Cat Smith MP, said: “It can’t be seen as right or fair that farmers often receive 1p profit from the food items they produce, whilst at the same time, supermarkets have pursued excessive profits. They’ve forced the value of farming produce down, and misled customers with farmwashing.  

“This has been going on for years, and has been left unchallenged for far too long.” 

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