NFU and British Sugar Agreement

Written by Mark O'Brien

The National Farmers Union (NFU) and British Sugar have successfully ended their negotiations on governing arrangements for the UK sugar beet permanent quota. The four-year framework, starting with crops sown in 2011, covers the areas of sugar beet contracting, beet pricing, whole beet sampling, transport arrangements, an out-goers scheme and funding for the British Beet Research Organisation.

The price on quota sugar beet will be annually based on a pricing mechanism, allowing a guaranteed price before contracting starts around June 30. The first publication of the results of the mechanism will take place in June 2010.

“This agreement will lead to greater certainty within the British beet industry, less adversarial relationships between growers and processor and provides the framework which will improve the competitiveness of the sector. We believe it is the most progressive sugar beet agreement to be found anywhere in Europe, and is at the leading edge for any agricultural product.” NFU Sugar Board Chairperson, William Martin.

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