This NFU 'produced to our standards' malarkey

[milkloss]

The big question is, are standards higher or do you just have more/different rules?

I think at farm level things are probably ok but there's so much going on between farm and shop in the UK that I'm not sure standards/quality/traceability are any better than imported stuff.

That's kind of what I was getting at. Are UK standards higher than imports or not?

 

[kiwi pom]

That's kind of what I was getting at. Are UK standards higher than imports or not?

I don't know it all depends on the product, the country your dealing with, the standards the importer puts on the product and the level of traceability required.
In some cases UK product could be better in some it could be the imported stuff.

I don't think its as black and white as some think.

 

[Hampton]

I don't know it all depends on the product, the country your dealing with, the standards the importer puts on the product and the level of traceability required.
In some cases UK product could be better in some it could be the imported stuff.

I don't think its as black and white as some think.

No, it is. The standards may stop hormone beef or beef from countries where foot and mouth is endemic, but are able to still let in quality meat like New Zealand lamb. What’s not to like?

 

[homefarm]

So you want the NFU to do generic advertising that non members may benefit from? It's bad enough they lobby on behalf of everyone!
Cloud cuckoo land!

If the NFU did some clever advertising and less but more effective lobbying some ex members,like me, might think about rejoining.

There is in my opinion a big difference between NFU members who like discounts and NFU members who are totally happy how the NFU is run and the way it represents them.

 

[mwj]

No, it is. The standards may stop hormone beef or beef from countries where foot and mouth is endemic, but are able to still let in quality meat like New Zealand lamb. What’s not to like?

We can send a lot of organic beef and pork, so you can have more than lamb on the menu!

 

[digger64]

[QUOdon't get Sid, post: 6799935, member: 574"]
So you want the NFU to do generic advertising that non members may benefit from? It's bad enough they lobby on behalf of everyone!
Cloud cuckoo land!
Why would AN Y organisation or business advertise something that others who aren't members benefit from? Try asking Coke why they dont advertise Pepsi, they may give you an answer when they have finish laughing!
[/QUOTE]
You dont get it do you , they don't lobby on behalf of everyone ! Everyone is a big word !
You could have many more members perhaps , may be you should ask non members why
they aren't members , I don't think cheaper pick up trucks is going to sort it either .

 

[Kiwi Pete]

The big question is, are standards higher or do you just have more/different rules?

I think at farm level things are probably ok but there's so much going on between farm and shop in the UK that I'm not sure standards/quality/traceability are any better than imported stuff.

I can mob-graze bulls because the general public don't have a right to be on my land, so they aren't putting themselves 'at risk'
Mob grazing aids animal welfare compared to other grazing systems IME, so that's an example of an indirect affect on a rural business from a non-farming rule.
Dozens of other examples abound as to why things are done the way they are done in the UK

 

[Kiwi Pete]

We can send a lot of organic beef and pork, so you can have more than lamb on the menu!

Is it proper NOP Organic or "antibiotic organic because animal welfare"

 

[Sid]

and what else are they going to do with the 100 million plus of reserves they hold and all that staff on their 21 mil annual payroll ? if they are waiting for a rainy day ........ this is it!

you seriously have to drop this idea that the world revolves around the NFU and they are the only thing this industry has ! talk about self importance !!

You do sound like a disgruntled sibling who didnt get the inheritance that they were expecting with the constant whining about how much money someone else has!

You can only use the family silver/asset once as a get out of jail card!

Never said the NFU were they only thing the industry has, and no it does represent every single farmer or farm type in the UK.

It's the same as any organisation, that you dont belong to, it can only represent its members as it sees fit, not all will be happy with everything it does.

 

[delilah]

If the NFU did some clever advertising and less but more effective lobbying some ex members,like me, might think about rejoining.

Agreed. One of the key rules for any campaigning body is this: Pick your battles.
If you rail against everything, you lose credibility.
We were taught at school to apply the SMART analysis. This call for a ban on imports, it could be argued that it is S and T, but no way is it M, A or R.

 

[traineefarmer]

Agreed. One of the key rules for any campaigning body is this: Pick your battles.
If you rail against everything, you lose credibility.
We were taught at school to apply the SMART analysis. This call for a ban on imports, it could be argued that it is S and T, but no way is it M, A or R.

What is SMART analysis?

 

[delilah]

What is SMART analysis?

Apologies; a tool for measuring the pros/cons of an action.
Is it:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Targeted.

 

[Henarar]

Agreed. One of the key rules for any campaigning body is this: Pick your battles.
If you rail against everything, you lose credibility.
We were taught at school to apply the SMART analysis. This call for a ban on imports, it could be argued that it is S and T, but no way is it M, A or R.

the eu seems to be able to ban imports for various reasons and the uk could do the same if they wanted

 

[mwj]

Is it proper NOP Organic or "antibiotic organic because animal welfare"

We can supply any kind of organic they care to buy. It may even have spent time in very deep mud outdoors to make someone happy.

 

[farmerm]

Is it just it "better" to invest time, money and energy in creating a culture where consumers want to buy British

who cares about the standard of imports if no one wants to buy them?

who cares about the standard of imports if no one wants to buy them? it is cheap

 

[Hilly]

who cares about the standard of imports if no one wants to buy them? it is cheap

I think not everyone plumps for cheap at all cost , quite a lot of responsible shoppers.

 

[farmerm]

I think not everyone plumps for cheap at all cost , quite a lot of responsible shoppers.

That is true, the very existence of Waitrose and M&S Food is testament to that, there is a sector of shoppers who are willing to pay more for quality or at least perceived quality... but there are a heck of a lot more Aldi and Lidl customers than Waitrose and M&S ones, myself included.

 

[Hilly]

That is true, the very existence of Waitrose and M&S Food is testament to that, there is a sector of shoppers who are willing to pay more for quality or at least perceived quality... but there are a heck of a lot more Aldi and Lidl customers than Waitrose and M&S ones, myself included.

Aldi Lidl are the good guys, up here they promote Scottish produce like no other they lead the way , they keep the price down because they keep their own costs down .

 

[delilah]

the eu seems to be able to ban imports for various reasons and the uk could do the same if they wanted

Do we have any examples of where this has been done, to the benefit of farmgate prices ? (assuming that's what we're after).

 

[Henarar]