As the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) to better protect farmers is being debated in parliament today, Monday 22 January, after the petition received over 112,000 signatures, the Chairman of industry body British Berry Growers, representing 95% of the UK's commercial soft fruit growers, believes we must stop defending GSCOP as a backdrop for fairness and give growers a chance.
Chairman of British Berry Growers, Nick Marston, said: "The current Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) is limited in scope and is not fit for purpose in today's inflationary marketplace. Growers are struggling with static returns and ever-increasing costs, especially labor costs. This is creating a crisis for British producers who cannot now grow fresh berries on a financially sustainable basis."
"Two-thirds of British berry growers surveyed said that they had little confidence in their future, and confidence in their retailer partners had been dented. While supermarket prices have risen, prices paid to growers have not. For strawberries, the cost of production has increased by 18p per 400g pack since 2021. Retail shelf prices have risen by 27p pack over this period – an increase of 14.8%. However, average grower returns are up by only 2.3% or 3.6p."
"Currently, there is no requirement for fair dealing on pricing in GSCOP. Supermarkets can put up their prices to shoppers at the push of a button; growers cannot. Growers would like this addressed."
"We need stronger, clearer legislation which will get retailers to commit to being long-term partners, paying growers a fair price and buying British when in season. We also need to impose rules to prevent legislation avoidance by retailers by inserting service providers into the chain and for the government to take a strong line on protocol breaches."
"There's no denying GSCOP has made a difference and has put an end to some appalling practices, but it needs reform, and now, to give growers a fair chance," concludes Marston.
For more information:
British Berry Growers
Tel.: +44 20 7575 7654
Email: britishberrygrowers@redbrickroad.com