2005 press releases

MP STANDS UP FOR LOCAL FARMERS IN THE COMMONS

Norman Baker has called for a fairer deal for farmers in the Lewes constituency in a debate he introduced on the topic in the House of Commons.

In particular, the MP highlighted the unfair trading arrangements which now exist between the farming community and the supermarkets. He pointed out that while, in 1988, 67% of the retail price of a beef product went to the farmer, that percentage had now dropped to 47%. And while the price of milk has gone up in the supermarkets in recent years, the price the farmer has received has dropped from 25p a litre in 1996 to around 19p a litre today.

The Lib Dem MP told the House: "Tesco is scheduled to make £2 billion this year at it will make a profit of some £115,000 in the time taken by this short half-hour debate. In other words, it will probably make more profit in five minutes than some of my farmers will make in an entire year. That is a rather uneven relationship - one that the Government ought to correct."

During the debate, Norman also raised a number of other matters including:

· the need for prompt payment from the Rural Payments Agency
· the need to tackle TB in cattle
· the need for local abattoirs to minimise the movement of animals
· the problem of fly-tipping on farmers' fields
· the disposal of farm plastics

Norman says: "Farming is an important activity within my constituency, not just for agricultural reasons, but for environmental, social and economic ones as well. We need a vibrant and healthy farming sector, and it is important that the barriers hampers that are removed. I have regularly raised farming issues in the Commons and will continue to do so."

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