The Red Tractor ACCS referendum

[homefarm]

Agree that cereal growers get a lot of value out of AHDB levy. Would be a shame if AHDB wasn't retained in a ballot.

Best thing they could do would be to make sure UK growers have unfettered access to UK markets under same terms as imported grains. Any less from an organisation who collects levy from growers, and has marketing and promotion in its remit, must be regarded as a complete fail.

It's a fundamental market access issue stifling our competitiveness. It's very poor that it hasn't already been addressed. It's gone on for years, and no-one at AHDB has attempted to fix it. Why? It's an obvious thing to sort out.

AHDB have even been using levy payers money and gifting it to RT, who've been using it to promote the RT brand. So levy payers who aren't RT members have had their levy used by RT to close of their markets. AHDB have also sponsored the AIC conferences. You couldn't make it up!

If RT/AIC aren't going to give us a level playingfield, then I think AHDB would be wise to get tough. It's possible to fix the issue.

Look at the last general election. It became a single issue election based on brexit. The same could hapoen with the AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds ballot. I think the best way for AHDB to survive would be to help level the playingfield. They've been very helpful thus far in facilitating talks between RT, AIC and NFU. Unfortunately no positive result yet, and AIC who say they aren't going to change their rules.

I think AHDB's destiny is in their own hands. They've the power to help themselves to a bright future. Let's hope they're wise enough to do so.

Negotiations play out, and the side coming out the best does so because they have the upper hand. RT and AIC have had the upper hand over farmers for years. We've been fragmented and weak against them. With the looming AHDB Cereals vote, farmers suddenly have power over AHDB. Farmers may choose to use that power over AHDB to get change on the level playingfield issue. Why wouldn't they?

I recon balls going to be in AHDB's court, and if I were AHDB I'd pull out all the stops between now and the vote.

Like it or not, that's the situation.

AHDB have a 'get out of jail for free' card. It's right there starring them in the face. Let's hope they use it.

Totally agree with the above.

AIC only need to tweak their rules to allow a self assured passport, AHDB have our money to threaten legal action and be credible.

Would AIC risk it all just to save RT?

We need to demand AHDB use our money to take on AIC, and I am sure a compromise would be forthcoming.

 

[tullah]

Agreed. It's just the compromise bit needs to be taken out.

 

[homefarm]

Agreed. It's just the compromise bit needs to be taken out.

The compromise is the self assured passport, gives the buyer more than imports

 

[texelburger]

Totally agree with the above.

AIC only need to tweak their rules to allow a self assured passport, AHDB have our money to threaten legal action and be credible.

Would AIC risk it all just to save RT?

We need to demand AHDB use our money to take on AIC, and I am sure a compromise would be forthcoming.

Trouble is they all live off us,collectively, and I can't see any of them upsetting the apple cart.Life is too comfortable for them.

 

[Flat 10]

Trouble is they all live off us,collectively, and I can't see any of them upsetting the apple cart. Life is too comfortable for them.

Too bloody true. I don't think anyone of them would last 5 mins in our shoes if we were to swap roles.

 

[Drillman]

Looking at it from another angle it’s quite possible that rt isn’t paying there staff enough so are only getting second/third rate applicants.

true business men/woman would take the business forwards, negotiate a premium for farmers and generally give the much talked about red tractor brand a value.

The current management don’t appear to be savvy enough to do that. They seem content to insult the people who pay there wages. I

Hardly a sustainable business model long term is it.


Saying that I’m maybe very wrong, as it takes a very smart person to extract £4.5 million quid a year out of folks without giving anything back in return, apart from a few little stickers!

And not get locked up in the process!

 

[Flat 10]

As a point of balance I have only had good inspectors. They however lament the direction of travel and the quality of some of the new ones...

 

[texelburger]

Looking at it from another angle it’s quite possible that rt isn’t paying there staff enough so are only getting second/third rate applicants.

true business men/woman would take the business forwards, negotiate a premium for farmers and generally give the much talked about red tractor brand a value.

The current management don’t appear to be savvy enough to do that. They seem content to insult the people who pay there wages. I

Hardly a sustainable business model long term is it.

This ^^^^^

 

[homefarm]

Trouble is they all live off us,collectively, and I can't see any of them upsetting the apple cart.Life is too comfortable for them.

They have till now and we had no power.

I think the AHDB vote changes this, now AHDB bods jobs might depend on a good result for farmers.uk.

I see AIC and AHDB saving their skins and RT given some competition to avoid a legal case.

 

[DRC]

Haulier moving my barley said there’s a boat in Liverpool at the moment . They are picking up loads with no passports required .

 

[Will Blackburn]

Haulier moving my barley said there’s a boat in Liverpool at the moment . They are picking up loads with no passports required .

It is going on a circular trip, magical mystery tour into NW feed mills after?

 

[Barleymow]

Haulier moving my barley said there’s a boat in Liverpool at the moment . They are picking up loads with no passports required .

Trouble it doesn't need passport for export, be interesting to know if its the same price as stickered loads

 

[Will Blackburn]

Haulier moving my barley said there’s a boat in Liverpool at the moment . They are picking up loads with no passports required .

Which merchants are buying for the vessel?

 

[Clive]

Looking at it from another angle it’s quite possible that rt isn’t paying there staff enough so are only getting second/third rate applicants.

true business men/woman would take the business forwards, negotiate a premium for farmers and generally give the much talked about red tractor brand a value.

The current management don’t appear to be savvy enough to do that. They seem content to insult the people who pay there wages. I

Hardly a sustainable business model long term is it.


Saying that I’m maybe very wrong, as it takes a very smart person to extract £4.5 million quid a year out of folks without giving anything back in return, apart from a few little stickers!

And not get locked up in the process!

surely the Mosely, Blenky,Smith dream team are world class.

 

[DRC]

Which merchants are buying for the vessel?

I’m not sure. Will ask when he returns later this week . Barley is going to Lloyds

 

[Clive]

Why can’t I type Blenky without this image in my head ?

 

[Will Blackburn]

I’m not sure. Will ask when he returns later this week . Barley is going to Lloyds

Thank you, I've decided not to cross Blenky's palm with silver, and will have some wheat and barley to market or home feed in the NW. Historically we used to sell barley into Liverpool, it comes full circle?

 

[Drillman]

surely the Mosely, Blenky,Smith dream team are world class.

Yes I think the former of my 2 theories is the closest to truth

Although Mosley does appear to be a lot more knowledgeable on the subject of imported crop lab testing because as far as I can establish despite our best efforts we haven’t managed to find out much about it?

Although i am somewhat disappointed that as a rt member selling what they constantly state are world class products my crops don’t go through the same rigorous tests as these imports that the millers prefer?

 

[Dim Reaper]

A couple of good letters in this weeks Farmers Guardian.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

If the ahdb are to continue using levy payers money to support red tractor, there's only one way the vote will go.

They are failing in their remit to develop markets for British farmers at the moment.