Why have AHDB commissioned NFU to chair the investigation into imported grain assurance standards and costs?

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
I'm not certain of exactly what is being studdied, but I believe AHDB have funded a study, chaired by Tom Bradshaw (NFU Vice President), looking into the tests done on imported grain, cost of doing so etc.

I'm just concerned that the NFU partly own RT, and are generally supportive of RT, so how can we be certain that such a study is going to be analysed without any bias towards RT?

Would it have been more sensible to ask someone to do the research who has no links to RT, and to not have RT, NFU or AIC sat around this table (which they currently are).

It would be turkeys voting for Christmas.

Edit. I might have got that slightly wrong. Don't think AHDB did "commission it", but rather funded some work. Sorry for any confusion.

It's understandable that NFU, AIC, RT, AHDB are sat around the table, but equally difficult to see how any conclusion can be reached that will be genuinely free of any underlying influence.
 
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Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
ffs....stitch up
How do we trust the findings?

BTW, Tom Bradshaw is a good man imho. So no offence meant to Tom.

It's just, when you think about it, AHDB might have messed up by not funding independent research. Levy payers have paid for this.

AHDB probably did this with good intentions, but if the conclusion is "UK farmers should stop moaning, we think it's in your best interests to remain locked in to RT, and we know what's best for you"...

...then we aren't going to trust that conclusion are we? Which would mean ot had been a waste of levy payers cash.

I hope the correct answer comes out of this study.
 

spin cycle

Member
Location
north norfolk
So they look like they are "doing" something.

A fudge to kick it down the road.

Delay and deceive tactics.

Civil service style warfare.

The "right" result will be found, with a few minor concessions to look like they are appeasing.

i'd be surprised if that was the case....more like .....' we've found that the costs for testing imported grain is vigorous but costly and goes to show what great value rt assurance is for uk farmers and growers' :rolleyes:
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
I know we've asked AHDB to help, and they're doing things, and maybe they can't do right for doing wrong, so maybe it's a little unfair to start this thread?

I just can't see the turkeys voting to get rid of themselves, as they're all somehow involved in ownership structures and associations.
 

Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
i'd be surprised if that was the case....more like .....' we've found that the costs for testing imported grain is vigorous but costly and goes to show what great value rt assurance is for uk farmers and growers' :rolleyes:
Let's hope not, but I fear that is what is going to happen.

AIC allow "pesticide declarations" for imports, which is completely cost free :scratchhead:
 
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Grass And Grain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorks
Screenshot_20211001-073513_Twitter.jpg


From Twitter.
 
How do we trust the findings?

BTW, Tom Bradshaw is a good man imho. So no offence meant to Tom.

It's just, when you think about it, AHDB might have messed up by not funding independent research. Levy payers have paid for this.

AHDB probably did this with good intentions, but if the conclusion is "UK farmers should stop moaning, we think it's in your best interests to remain locked in to RT, and we know what's best for you"...

...then we aren't going to trust that conclusion are we? Which would mean ot had been a waste of levy payers cash.

I hope the correct answer comes out of this study.

Tom could say "actually in the name of fairness and clarity it's not my place to do this survey" but he doesn't...
 

MrNoo

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cirencester
I cannot understand why you would expect anything else, keep it all in house, come out with some ludicrous figures to test imported grain, RT is the cheaper option.
I dont care what you think about Tom being this or that, he works for the NFU, a two year old would be able to tell you the outcome of this.
We dont wish to know the costs of whatever test imported grain gets or doesnt get, I just want an equal to imports box and to sell my grain in the marketplace without RT/NFU/AIC restriction
 

tullah

Member
Location
Linconshire
There's nothing to investigate about imports because it's all been done on here. Shocking. Make no excuses for AHDB. It's just an inside job.
All these people connected with the fraud have to be voted gone. Never mind about the few good things AHDB have done.
of course Nfu want to keep things as they are, some of their jobs depend upon RT's existence.
Isnt it the case that the "non f Union" needs to be investigated and grass and grain to chair it.
 
I cannot understand why you would expect anything else, keep it all in house, come out with some ludicrous figures to test imported grain, RT is the cheaper option.
I dont care what you think about Tom being this or that, he works for the NFU, a two year old would be able to tell you the outcome of this.
We dont wish to know the costs of whatever test imported grain gets or doesnt get, I just want an equal to imports box and to sell my grain in the marketplace without RT/NFU/AIC restriction

Exactly. If the mills are allowed to use imported grain which does not fall within the RT scheme then they should be able to buy and use domestic grains which aren't RT either.
 

Jackov Altraids

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
Could someone find out the precise remit of this 'group' as it seems utterly nonsensical to me.
The cost of inspections and testing to importers is pretty irrelevant.
If they don't know what those tests and inspections are,.... that's a disgusting admission of being negligent.
If they are trying to find the lowest cost way of assuring UK grain for export, that is admirable but should have been their quest from the beginning.

The more I hear / read on the subject of Red Tractor and the NFU's association with it, the more apparent of how incompetent, self interested and corrupt it is.
 

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