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PRESS RELEASE: Farmers call off Tesco action

Farmers for Action | 17.01.2002 16:53

Following negotiations with Tesco plc, Farmers For Action are pleased to announce a successful conclusion to this dispute.

The decision reached within Farmers For Action we felt was for the long-term benefit of not only our own membership but British farmers and their families. The talks we will be having with Tesco hopefully will enable us to ensure that British farming is here for generations to come and that we can get farmers back into profitability. The task ahead between both parties will not be easy but we have always stated, as Farmers For Action, dialogue must come before direct action.

Tesco plc have agreed with us to have talks around a number of issues, which will affect everyone living in the rural community. We will shortly be meeting with a senior board director to discuss all issues that surrounded this dispute. Farmers For Action will also be attending future Tesco Producer Club meetings and will start discussions on farmgate issues with the Tesco plc commercial teams in the very near future. We trust that all parties interested in British agriculture will take notice of this successful conclusion with Tesco plc and it will send out a very strong signal to all businesses that are involved with British agriculture that we must work very, very closely within the food chain to make sure we can all achieve our goals. These goals enable us to provide the consumer with the very best British produce.

Farmers For Action trust this agreement will last indefinitely and that the threat of direct action is no longer needed as a tool to make sure British farming families can survive. This needs the transparency and commitment of all parties involved in the food chain.

Farmers for Action
- e-mail: secretary@farmersforaction.org
- Homepage: http://www.farmersforaction.org

Comments

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Good luck!

18.01.2002 13:45

It is interesting to observe that it took the threat of justifiable direct action to get Tesco's to come to the negotiation tables.
I also think that it is admirable that you - as a force for progressive change in farming practices - have pushed this debate. It clearly shows that - in current day UK - if you want action then do it yourself. All we have heard from the UK government on issues of unfair monopolies/pricing practices etc is a lame defence of supermarket domination. The UK government constantly refers to the 'autonomous' food commission (think that's the name of the quango responsible for food monitoring) which undertook a study about a year ago into unfair practices by supermarkets. They claim that the UK is fairly balanced when compared to fellow EU nations. Pa! I wouldn't wipe my arse with that report ... but that's another issue.
Wanted to finish by saying that while it is great that you are going to be liaising with Tesco's be aware of the PR value in their relations with you. I think that highlighting the dangers facing farming communities is an excellent political action - but reamin aware of the size/power of your adversaries.
Good luck ... may we all be organic sooner than later. Smash GM and embrace diverse multicultural countryside community life.
Dan

Dan Anchorman