Fair contracts for egg producers

The Ranger magazine, the leading magazine in the UK for free range egg producers, is inviting farmers to contribute to a story which will ultimately lead to the publishing of the Ranger’s fair contract for egg producers.

Most egg producers have contracts with either local or national packers to supply eggs ultimately destined in some form to the supermarkets. Many producers believe these contracts are not fair as they fail to give a minimum price for the eggs meaning that producers are required to produce at a loss as input costs rise and in some cases the commodity falls.

A fair contract will ensure that producers would never be expected to sell their eggs for less than the cost of production. One idea is to include in some form a feed price ratchet. When the cost of feed rises and falls so does the price farmers get for their eggs. This would ensure packers are more responsible in the recruitment of new producers as they have a financial interest in ensuring they do not recruit more eggs than they have a market for.

All farmers are invited to participate in this open debate by posting their comments and suggestions on the ranger website.

http://www.theranger.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22&PID=47#47

All postings are made anonymously.