Fair play to FW for tackling AIC issue head on.

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
Good article, well overdue. Well done to everyone for taking a stand on it - we are the more ethical side of the debate here. I cannot countenance a trade organistion that expects to get away with treating its native customers with tighter rules than its imported, unrecorded, untraceable produce. It just beggars belief.

I think its worth remembering once again that Red Tractor is a PRIVATE COMPANY and its coterie of decision makers which themselves are self appointed are responsible along with AIC for effectively holding the UK grain trade to ransom. This is not free market, its market blocking by selecting favourites and this affects the farmers ability to trade.

Its wrong. I think the legal challenge along with the governments existing laws of competition would take a very dim view of this charade. Some people should be on porridge for this - its almost corporate fraud and has been for a long time.
 
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tullah

Member
Location
Linconshire
Great article, well overdue. Well done to everyone for taking a stand on it - we are the more ethical side of the debate here.

I think its worth remembering once again that Red Tractor is a PRIVATE COMPANY and its coterie of decision makers which themselves are appointed are responsible along with AIC for effectively holding the UK grain trade to ransom. This is not free market, its market blocking by selecting favourites and this affects the farmers ability to trade.

Its wrong. I think the legal challenge along with the governments existing laws of competition would take a very dim view of this charade. Some people should be on porridge for this - its almost corporate fraud and has been for a long time.
That's well put. These people will soon be able to repent at leisure. They will have the luxury of a billiards table to while away the boredom.
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
Good article, well overdue. Well done to everyone for taking a stand on it - we are the more ethical side of the debate here. I cannot countenance a trade organistion that expects to get away with treating its native customers with tighter rules than its imported, unrecorded, untraceable produce. It just beggars belief.

I think its worth remembering once again that Red Tractor is a PRIVATE COMPANY and its coterie of decision makers which themselves are self appointed are responsible along with AIC for effectively holding the UK grain trade to ransom. This is not free market, its market blocking by selecting favourites and this affects the farmers ability to trade.

Its wrong. I think the legal challenge along with the governments existing laws of competition would take a very dim view of this charade. Some people should be on porridge for this - its almost corporate fraud and has been for a long time.
Don't understand why AIC and feed mills can't just support British farmers and give us equal market access. They continually cannot give us valid reasons for not letting us supply under similar terms to imports.

Not the feed mills faults. They've to follow the AIC UFAS mills.

Wonder how feed mills feel about having to impose stricter standards on their home farmers vs imports.
 
Don't understand why AIC and feed mills can't just support British farmers and give us equal market access. They continually cannot give us valid reasons for not letting us supply under similar terms to imports.

Not the feed mills faults. They've to follow the AIC UFAS mills.

Wonder how feed mills feel about having to impose stricter standards on their home farmers vs imports.

The reason is because they are being offered the toytown assurance for free thanks to RT and in large part the NFU who created the whole daft stunt.

I know a few feed mill purchasers who don't feel they get a lot for their AIC subscription but can't really be bothered to challenge them. But until now its been hard to hold them to account because the AIC are in large part very faceless. I'm not sure how we have got to the sitution how the AIC can compel their members to buy only Red Tractor produce in the UK and buy any old shite from abroad?
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
Many thanks to Philip Case at Farmers Weekly for sticking his neck out with this article. Not many journalists would risk upsetting the applecart like this.

It's challenged RT,AIC,NFU and AHDB to provide a solution.

I think NFU and AHDB (if you're in any doubt, they're supposed to work for farmers) originally backed RT with good intentions.

Now it's created a situation by which it's more difficult for UK farmers to access their own markets than it is for imports.

Fundamental market access issue!

What were they thinking?

Didn't anyone notice?

Why was it left to me/us to do something about it?

Imagine this scenario. Farmer levy payer pays levy to AHDB, each year AHDB then gift some of that levy to RT ring fenced for marketing, RT use that levy to market the RT brand, AIC say only RT grain allowed in our UFAS mills (if you farm in the UK), levy payer isn't RT assured so now can't sell grain to his local feed mill.

His own levy has been used to cut off his own market, whilst foreign competitor can still sell to the UK without any RT equivalent assurance. Situation backed all the way by the NFU.

How do you feel as that farmer?

I'm fuming about it.

The current board at AHDB have inherited this situation. It's not their fault. They've to try and fix the problem.

What ever the reason was for AHDB cereals to stop the funding to RT, it's pretty embarrassing for RT. One of their part owners doesn't think RT are worth levy payers' money, and the levy would be better spent elsewhere. RT sit there with their head in the sand, pretending nothing is wrong.

The good news is that AHDB are now trying to help. I think Martin has worked hard to get discussions moving.

If it wasn't for AHDB now helping, I don't know where we'd be. So thanks for the current work they're doing, trying to unpick the current mess.

I fear RT and AIC will be hard work, because if AIC were to agree to our requests, then RT might lose a lot of income.

Not that many farmers seem to know about the AIC rules. Hopefully it will let a wider audience join the dabate when the print article hits the FW next week.
 
Many thanks to Philip Case at Farmers Weekly for sticking his neck out with this article. Not many journalists would risk upsetting the applecart like this.

It's challenged RT,AIC,NFU and AHDB to provide a solution.

I think NFU and AHDB (if you're in any doubt, they're supposed to work for farmers) originally backed RT with good intentions.

Now it's created a situation by which it's more difficult for UK farmers to access their own markets than it is for imports.

Fundamental market access issue!

What were they thinking?

Didn't anyone notice?

Why was it left to me/us to do something about it?

Imagine this scenario. Farmer levy payer pays levy to AHDB, each year AHDB then gift some of that levy to RT ring fenced for marketing, RT use that levy to market the RT brand, AIC say only RT grain allowed in our UFAS mills (if you farm in the UK), levy payer isn't RT assured so now can't sell grain to his local feed mill.

His own levy has been used to cut off his own market, whilst foreign competitor can still sell to the UK without any RT equivalent assurance. Situation backed all the way by the NFU.

How do you feel as that farmer?

I'm fuming about it.

The current board at AHDB have inherited this situation. It's not their fault. They've to try and fix the problem.

What ever the reason was for AHDB cereals to stop the funding to RT, it's pretty embarrassing for RT. One of their part owners doesn't think RT are worth levy payers' money, and the levy would be better spent elsewhere. RT sit there with their head in the sand, pretending nothing is wrong.

The good news is that AHDB are now trying to help. I think Martin has worked hard to get discussions moving.

If it wasn't for AHDB now helping, I don't know where we'd be. So thanks for the current work they're doing, trying to unpick the current mess.

I fear RT and AIC will be hard work, because if AIC were to agree to our requests, then RT might lose a lot of income.

Not that many farmers seem to know about the AIC rules. Hopefully it will let a wider audience join the dabate when the print article hits the FW next week.

We are in effect being coerced into paying for access to the market. The bribe is essentially pay RT and it's bands of technocrats and then you can have access to your home market.
 

Steevo

Member
Location
Gloucestershire
Many thanks to Philip Case at Farmers Weekly for sticking his neck out with this article. Not many journalists would risk upsetting the applecart like this.

It's challenged RT,AIC,NFU and AHDB to provide a solution.

I think NFU and AHDB (if you're in any doubt, they're supposed to work for farmers) originally backed RT with good intentions.

Now it's created a situation by which it's more difficult for UK farmers to access their own markets than it is for imports.

Fundamental market access issue!

What were they thinking?

Didn't anyone notice?

Why was it left to me/us to do something about it?

Imagine this scenario. Farmer levy payer pays levy to AHDB, each year AHDB then gift some of that levy to RT ring fenced for marketing, RT use that levy to market the RT brand, AIC say only RT grain allowed in our UFAS mills (if you farm in the UK), levy payer isn't RT assured so now can't sell grain to his local feed mill.

His own levy has been used to cut off his own market, whilst foreign competitor can still sell to the UK without any RT equivalent assurance. Situation backed all the way by the NFU.

How do you feel as that farmer?

I'm fuming about it.

The current board at AHDB have inherited this situation. It's not their fault. They've to try and fix the problem.

What ever the reason was for AHDB cereals to stop the funding to RT, it's pretty embarrassing for RT. One of their part owners doesn't think RT are worth levy payers' money, and the levy would be better spent elsewhere. RT sit there with their head in the sand, pretending nothing is wrong.

The good news is that AHDB are now trying to help. I think Martin has worked hard to get discussions moving.

If it wasn't for AHDB now helping, I don't know where we'd be. So thanks for the current work they're doing, trying to unpick the current mess.

I fear RT and AIC will be hard work, because if AIC were to agree to our requests, then RT might lose a lot of income.

Not that many farmers seem to know about the AIC rules. Hopefully it will let a wider audience join the dabate when the print article hits the FW next week.

You (and everyone) have achieved an enormous amount to get to this stage! WELL DONE!!!
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
Many thanks to Philip Case at Farmers Weekly for sticking his neck out with this article. Not many journalists would risk upsetting the applecart like this.

It's challenged RT,AIC,NFU and AHDB to provide a solution.

I think NFU and AHDB (if you're in any doubt, they're supposed to work for farmers) originally backed RT with good intentions.

Now it's created a situation by which it's more difficult for UK farmers to access their own markets than it is for imports.

Fundamental market access issue!

What were they thinking?

Didn't anyone notice?

Why was it left to me/us to do something about it?

Imagine this scenario. Farmer levy payer pays levy to AHDB, each year AHDB then gift some of that levy to RT ring fenced for marketing, RT use that levy to market the RT brand, AIC say only RT grain allowed in our UFAS mills (if you farm in the UK), levy payer isn't RT assured so now can't sell grain to his local feed mill.

His own levy has been used to cut off his own market, whilst foreign competitor can still sell to the UK without any RT equivalent assurance. Situation backed all the way by the NFU.

How do you feel as that farmer?

I'm fuming about it.

The current board at AHDB have inherited this situation. It's not their fault. They've to try and fix the problem.

What ever the reason was for AHDB cereals to stop the funding to RT, it's pretty embarrassing for RT. One of their part owners doesn't think RT are worth levy payers' money, and the levy would be better spent elsewhere. RT sit there with their head in the sand, pretending nothing is wrong.

The good news is that AHDB are now trying to help. I think Martin has worked hard to get discussions moving.

If it wasn't for AHDB now helping, I don't know where we'd be. So thanks for the current work they're doing, trying to unpick the current mess.

I fear RT and AIC will be hard work, because if AIC were to agree to our requests, then RT might lose a lot of income.

Not that many farmers seem to know about the AIC rules. Hopefully it will let a wider audience join the dabate when the print article hits the FW next week.

very well put

change/ accountability is long overdue

thankfully “backstabbers” like us can demand answers very publicly these days

people (@Guy Smith included rather ironically now) laughed when I dared suggest Red Tractor were operating a protection racket and resigned my NFU membership because of it back the earlier years of this forum
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
In the podcast...

Interestingly Paul Temple said AHDB hadn't ruled out future contributions to RT. Are AHDB holding out a hand to RT? Offering a carrot?

Provide a level playingfield, and we'll think about giving your funding back!

How much longer are RT going to remain arrogant and sit with heads in the sand?

"Here you go RT, the cash is over here, you just need to provide a level playingfield, then we'll give you the cash".

Good move by Paul and AHDB. Smart, well done. I think AHDB might not be entirely happy today, but in the long run it's going ro help with negotiations, and help male AHDB work harder, which they allready are doing. Good stuff.

I haven't really been comfortable with making this move, for risk of alienating myself, but I thinl the correct thing to have done.

Are RT smart enough to take the hint.
 
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texelburger

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Herefordshire
Good article, well overdue. Well done to everyone for taking a stand on it - we are the more ethical side of the debate here. I cannot countenance a trade organistion that expects to get away with treating its native customers with tighter rules than its imported, unrecorded, untraceable produce. It just beggars belief.

I think its worth remembering once again that Red Tractor is a PRIVATE COMPANY and its coterie of decision makers which themselves are self appointed are responsible along with AIC for effectively holding the UK grain trade to ransom. This is not free market, its market blocking by selecting favourites and this affects the farmers ability to trade.

Its wrong. I think the legal challenge along with the governments existing laws of competition would take a very dim view of this charade. Some people should be on porridge for this - its almost corporate fraud and has been for a long time.
Very well put.Lets not forget the contempt,arrogance and disdain some members of the RT board had for some of us farmers who dared to challenge them on the unfairness RT created.I'll never forget the word backstabbers, the man should resign.
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
In the podcast...

Interestingly Paul Temple said AHDB hadn't ruled out future contributions to RT. Are AHDB holding out a hand to RT? Offering a carrot?

Provide a level playingfield, and we'll think about giving your funding back!

How much longer are RT going to remain arrogant and sit with heads in the sand?

"Here you go RT, the cash is over here, you just need to provide a level playingfield, then we'll give you the cash".

Good move by Paul and AHDB. Smart, well done. I think AHDB might not be entirely happy today, but in the long run it's going ro help with negotiations, and help male AHDB work harder, which they allready are doing. Good stuff.

I haven't really been comfortable with making this move, for risk of alienating myself, but I thinl the correct thing to have done.

Are RT smart enough to take the hint.

definitely the right thing to do Steve

i was bought up to give bully’s a bloody nose ! not just accept their unacceptable behaviour
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
Top work G&G and fair play to FW for waking up to this. RT offers absolutely nothing except additional costs to the average cereal farmer simply to access their own market. Costs that imports do not have. I was trying to work out quite how this farcical situation arose but can’t see how it was ever going to be fair to U.K. farmers or how the NFU let it happen. Unfortunately the original perpetrators are unlikely to carry the can so it will be left to backstabber blenky, Jim nice but dim and guy fawkes to face the music.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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