The West Midlands NFU has put together proposals for a recovery package for farmers and contractors whose business plans have been thrown into chaos by British Sugar's decision to close its Allscott factory.
An emergency joint meeting of the West Midlands NFU's Regional and Sugar Boards held in Telford today (Friday) agreed on a four point plan to minimise the damage caused by the decision:
- an economic impact assessment, to be financed by British Sugar and Advantage West Midlands, to establish the full ramifications of the closure decision – including the damage to associated businesses – and so enable recovery measures to be focused on the areas of greatest need;
- a programme of business advice, including workshops, to enable growers to assess alternative crops and provide guidance on necessary business changes;
- farmers forced into giving up sugar beet to be treated as a priority sector by the Government's Farm Business Advice Scheme (FBAS);
- the FBAS and similar business advice services to be extended to sugar beet contractors and hauliers.
NFU West Midlands Regional Chairman, Simon Latter, said after the meeting:
"Growers are still very angry at the closure of Allscott and the outcome of the contract negotiations with British Sugar. But what is done is done. We have to move on and to help farmers and contractors affected by this decision to pick up the pieces and find viable ways forward.
"To do that we need to understand the full implications of the closure, and then make sure that resources are available to address the priorities identified. The EIA is essential to this process, and funding it is the least that British Sugar ought to do for the sugar growers of the West Midlands, whom they have let down so badly.
"It is very sad that sugar beet will soon no longer be part of the farming scene in the West Midlands. But there will be life after sugar beet, and we are determined in the NFU to do everything we can to make that life as rewarding to farmers, and as beneficial to the wider economy, as sugar beet has been over the years."
"In order to help the NFU give the lead in pressing for a recovery package, we should still like to hear from both growers and other businesses affected by these decisions, with information on the impact on their businesses".
