There are now just three days left to respond to Defra’s consultation on its review of contractual arrangements in the pork supply chain – all those connected to the pig sector, and producers in particular, is being urged to make their voices heard.
The consultation closes on Friday, October 7, and after a slow start, there was anecdotal evidence that the volume of industry responses was picking up as the deadline approached.
Leading industry figures have stressed the need for as many people as possible to respond in order to present as formidable and unambiguous a case as possible to drive much-needed change within what is widely accepted to be a broken supply chain.
NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said: “The NPA is working hard to formulate a response that reflects the views of our diverse membership and that the whole industry can get behind.
“It is equally important, however, that producers respond individually, outlining your own current situation and what you want from future contractual relations with your buyers. The louder our voice, the stronger case we have for change.”
Commenting on the NPA forum, NPA vice chairman Hugh Crabtree said he had been told by ‘the very best of authorities’ that the producer response so far has been ‘dismal’, which he described as ‘embarrassing’.
“Yes, I know it’s a long review with many questions and the need for careful thought, consideration and comment (it took me three sessions and I think 90 minutes in total) but for goodness sake folks, it’s our bloody industry’s survival we’re talking about here!
“Can I ask you to please make the effort to respond? Please do it now. Please,” he said, urging producers and allied industry colleagues to explain why the supply chain isn’t working and what needs to change.
Responding to the consultation
There are 44 questions, seeking views on issues such as transparency, price reporting, clarity of contractual terms and conditions, and market consolidation.
You can complete it here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/supply-chain-fairness/contractual-practice-in-the-uk-pig-sector/- Or use the QR code (created by Anna Longthorp)
- The consultation runs until October 7
- Your response can be confidential. You need to tick a box at the start
- The NPA has issued guidance on how to respond for members on its website.
Producer comment
Writing on the NPA forum, South West producer Richard Knox said: “I have just submitted my response to the government consultation. All I know is that if I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t have been able to continue shouting from the sidelines with a clear conscience.
“The thought of doing the survey filled me with a little dread, but once I got into it, I actually felt that my responses could genuinely make a difference to all of our futures.”
NPA response
The consultation has been gathering evidence since July about how the pig supply chain currently operates to form the basis for reforms, possibly underpinned by legislation, to deliver a fairer, more transparent and more functional supply chain.
The NPA Pig Industry Group (PIG) discussed the association’s response at its latest meeting in September.
Outlining the key principles set out within the NPA’s response, based on member surveys, focus groups and interviews, chief policy adviser Rebecca Veale said the review must ultimately ensure that risks are spread proportionately throughout the supply chain.
The NPA is setting out why producers need to be able to negotiate contracts that are fair, enforceable and deliver a fair price under any new arrangements.
The NPA told new Defra Secretary Ranil Jayawardena in a letter that the review represents a ‘once in a generation opportunity to reset the balance of power and create an environment for the British pig industry to thrive again’, and reinforced the message in a meeting with new Farming Minister Mark Spencer on a Nottinghamshire farm.
However, the NPA and the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) have both urged Defra to look beyond the narrow confines of the producer-processor relationship that the consultation focuses on.
The NPA said the role of retailers has to be factored into any solutions, while the BMPA has warned that ignoring the wider complexity of the supply chain could result in ‘unintended consequences’ for producers.