Devon County Show: NFU leader pushes for fairer deal

Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, said supply chain issues needed to improve

Improving the supply chain is key to the success of farmers, according to the new head of the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Speaking at the Devon County Show, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said getting a fair deal from retailers for farmers was "the missing link".

Mr Bradshaw said confidence among farmers was at a low with people in the industry facing "a cash crisis".

Farming minister Mark Spencer said he wanted to push out "sharp practices".

More than 2,000 animals were at this year's show

Mr Bradshaw said: "I think the fairness in the supply chain work is the most important part but also the most difficult to deliver.

"Words are very easy. We have the seen the appointment of the dairy adjudicator to look at fairness in the dairy supply and the contracts there.

"We do need to see that mirrored in other sectors but make sure the risk is shared right through the whole supply chain to make sure the farmers are not the ones who are carrying all of that risk."

Farming minister Mark Spencer said legislation was needed to resolve supply chain issues

Earlier in the week the government announced measures to help farmers affected by recent wet weather and investment in horticultural production.

Farming minister Mark Spencer, also speaking at the show, said of supply chain issues: "There are some practices which I don't think are appropriate and we need to legislate those out.

"We've all got skin in the game here - the retailers cannot make a profit if they've not got farmers producing the great produce they want to sell.

"They also have an interest in making sure that fairness and that reward is spread - profit for the retailer, profit for the processor but also profit for the farmer."