A petition urging major UK supermarkets to treat British farmers more fairly has gained significant traction, amassing over 75.000 signatures. Launched by organic farming company Riverford, the #GetFairAboutFarming campaign issued an open letter to the CEOs of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl six weeks ago, alerting them to the critical state of the farming industry. Surprisingly, none of the supermarket chiefs have acknowledged the campaign despite the considerable time that has passed.
Supporters of the petition continue to send a clear message to the country's largest retailers, known as the "big six." Green Party peer Natalie Bennett, a former party leader, has thrown her support behind the campaign and brought it up in the House of Lords. Bennett highlighted the pivotal role these supermarkets play in British life, affecting the cost of living, food security, and the fate of farmers and the nation as a whole. She emphasized the responsibility that comes with their significant influence, urging transparency and honesty in their dealings.
A central request of the campaign is for the government to amend the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCP). This proposed amendment would mandate supermarkets to fulfill their purchase agreements, adhere to agreed-upon payment terms, and make payments on time without exceptions. The petition, with its growing support nearing 100,000 backers, intensifies the pressure on the "big six" supermarkets to address the concerns raised by the campaign.
Guy Singh-Watson, the founder of Riverford Organic, expressed disappointment at the lack of acknowledgment from the major supermarkets. He emphasized the insult to British agriculture at a time when the industry is facing severe challenges. Singh-Watson pointed out that the countryside is being negatively impacted, as the pursuit of "cheap food" often leads to the desecration of farmland. Additionally, he highlighted the unfair compensation faced by farmers in his sector.
Singh-Watson sees the increasing support for the petition as a clear signal to the supermarkets and the government to take immediate action to safeguard the future of British farmers. He underscored the urgency of the situation and the potential exposure of poor practices in a parliamentary debate if supermarkets do not address the issues raised by the campaign.
Source: www.farminguk.com