“Growing momentum” – more organisations back the Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today welcomed the “growing momentum” behind the Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill, as more rural organisations backed the Bill, including the National Farmers’ Union, NFU Scotland, the Countryside Alliance and Scottish Land & Estates.
Mr Carmichael will introduce the Bill to the House of Commons with a ten minute speech on Wednesday 19th March, following Prime Minister’s Question Time.
The Bill is intended to introduce a range of provisions to get fairer prices for farmers and food producers across the UK, including strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator in terms of remit and resources, supporting greater public procurement of locally produced food, and enhanced origin labelling requirements. It fulfils Mr Carmichael’s commitment, made during the General Election last year, to reintroduce legislation to boost the powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.
Mr Carmichael said:
“This is a sign of the growing momentum behind the Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill, which would give a fairer deal to farmers and food producers across the UK. I am grateful for the broad support and hope that colleagues across Parliament will come out to back the Bill as well.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said:
"The NFU fully supports the introduction of a Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill and is grateful to Alistair Carmichael for putting this important issue on the agenda.
"We have lobbied for some time on the need to see fairness and transparency across the agri-food supply chain in order to provide opportunities for all farming businesses whatever their size. Strengthening farmers’ position means making our food system more resilient and provides a trading environment that remains competitive and innovative. This should include strong working relationships between retailers and suppliers which are built on trust and a supportive legislative framework including trade policy which doesn’t undermine us."
Andrew Connon, President NFU Scotland said:
“We fully support Alistair Carmichael’s Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill. The measures are vital for the future prosperity of agriculture and would ensure a stronger position and level playing field for our primary producers which we very much welcome. NFU Scotland encourages MPs from all parties to support this Bill that will help farmers, crofters and consumers alike.”
David Bean, Parliament and Government Relation Manager of the Countryside Alliance, said:
“Food and farming are the bedrock of Britain's rural economy, and safeguarding our food supply by ensuring they remain profitable is a matter of vital national interest.
“The Countryside Alliance was delighted to work with Mr Carmichael and others to shape a Bill that will help do just that. Strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator, improving labelling so customers can make better-informed decisions and ensuring the public sector procures more British and local food offers a lifeline to this essential sector.
“We urge MPs to get on board and back the Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill.”
Cameron Gillies, Press & Public Affairs Manager at Scottish Land & Estates said:
“Beyond delivering food security for the UK, food producers are at the heart of our rural communities and play a leading role in efforts to tackle climate change, restore nature and drive the rural economy forward.
“In the backdrop of the significant challenges they are facing here in Scotland and across the UK, the proposed Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) Bill offers a glimmer of hope and some enormously welcome good news for the sector.
“Fairness in the food supply chain from gate to plate is integral to the sustainability of farming businesses. Placing this on a statutory footing is a welcome step towards achieving this.
“The Bill also offers a fantastic opportunity to leverage public funding earmarked for supplying schools, hospitals and local authority cafeterias to support local farmers, with high quality, homegrown food being served in public places through updated local procurement guidelines. This would be a win for local authorities and local businesses, for the benefit of local communities.”