MSP SEEKS FAIR TRADE FOR PRIMARY PRODUCERS (Jim Hume)

MSP SEEKS FAIR TRADE FOR PRIMARY PRODUCERS

October 3, 2007 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has today asked the Scottish Government to stand by its manifesto pledge to support primary producers.

Jim Hume said:-

"The continuing plight of our primary producers in achieving a fair price at the farm gate is clear to see.

"There is an imbalance of power in the supply chain between primary producers and large processors and retailers, and the Scottish Government in line with its 2007 manifesto pledge must do everything to ensure that those higher up the supply chain do not exploit primary producers.

The MSP continued:-

"Earlier this week I wrote to all the major retailers asking them to give primary producers a fair deal and at the same time took the issue up with the Office of Fair Trading.

"The OFT is currently considering alleged price fixing in the dairy sector involving large supermarkets and it would seem an opportune time to consider the whole picture of what the primary producer gets at the farm gate.

"A constituent remarked to me this week that agriculture is one of the last bastions of manufacturing in the UK.

"I hope that the supermarkets and our new government recognise this and take proper and pragmatic measures to support the industry."