NFU President meets Yorkshire sugar beet growers

NFU President, Peter Kendall, met with more than 40 Yorkshire sugar beet growers yesterday afternoon following the announcement on Tuesday (4 July) that British Sugar is to close its factory in York.

In a flying visit, Mr Kendall attended the regional sugar board meeting at the farm of regional chairman Michael Craven and told growers that the NFU had initiated urgent negotiations with British sugar within hours of the announcement.

He described the closure move as 'a kick in the teeth' for growers who have "stood by" British Sugar over the years and invested in the future of the industry as a whole.

Given that there was no consultation whatsoever with the NFU in advance of the announcement, he said the industry is right to raise concerns about the power of a monopoly processor when it decides unilaterally to close down an industry.

The priority for the NFU, he said, is to represent the interests of affected growers, and to make sure that British Sugar addresses its responsibilities to those affected.

As a result, a focus group is being established to involve growers from affected factory areas, giving them the opportunity to make representations directly to British Sugar. The group will work alongside the NFU's national sugar board and complement the efforts of the NFU negotiating team.

At national level the NFU is taking legal advice on a number of issues linked to the announced closures and is also due to meet with Defra to discuss the implications. A letter will be going to all growers over the next day or so from the chairman of the NFU's national sugar board, John Hoyles.

At regional level, contact has already been made with three local MPs as well as the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward and local authorities to discuss the implications and mobilise support for Yorkshire growers. A further meeting will also be organised as soon as possible to give growers the most up to date information.