GYO Needs Your Help! Please Vote in our Poll

[RuthC]

Today, the Government has announced its new agricultural strategy for the next 20 years, called Food 2030, encouraging farms to be both more productive and sustainable in the face of climate change. This has also generated a debate about the role of consumers and supermarkets in supporting British farmers (and the Conservatives are also proposing a supermarket ombudsman to help them get a fair price for their produce). We'd like to know how you feel about this - please take part in our poll.

[pdblake]

Sure, where is it?

[ginger ninger]

I'd love to take part, but.....where's the poll ?????

[HeyWayne]

Sure, where is it?

The Government?

London mainly.

[pdblake]

The Government?

London mainly.

What, London on this planet?

I voted other as I think that farmers should ensure a fair deal for themselves. If enough British farmers refused to sell to supermarkets, or only sold to selected supermarkets then the ones without British products to sell would soon see their profits go to the ones who have them. Sure a few more farmers would go bust, but they're doing that anyway.

Most of the people I know buy only British meat. If one supermarket gave British farmers a good deal then the rest would be forced to too.

Another way would be to ban the excessive imports of foreign produced food (and anything else for that matter) that we produce ourselves.

[HeyWayne]

What, London on this planet?

Depends on what planet you're on.

[pdblake]

Depends on what planet you're on.

It's definately a different one to the government, though not necessarily the same one as everyone else.

[Nicos]

...um..where is it?

I would like to say though that here in France , there seems to be 2 main types of farmers...those who use sustainable farming methods- as generations before them, and the 'new breed' who over fertilise with chemicals which pollute the rivers and ponds , and cut back/down hedgerows to increase their yield/ income.
Can more productive and sustainable really walk hand in hand- apart from abolishing the 'set- aside' fields????

Many farmers here are horrified at the 'raping' of the countryside at almost any cost for increased production by the 'more modern' farming methods.Yes food generally expensive here, but not at the cost of the Environment- but you can see the odd pockets of change....
Peasant farmers????...I think both sides could learn a thing or two.

[jacob marley]

I voted others because the supermarkets have got the farmers over the provebial barrell . They also have the shoppers over the same barrel.
They also have the local councils over the same barrel with all the out of town shopping centres '
Before any body shouts at me i use a big tescos on the out skirts of Coventry why ease of access and free parking i have even seen the man who owns the local shop shopping in there....jacob

[Two_Sheds]

If enough British farmers refused to sell to supermarkets, ... If one supermarket gave British farmers a good deal then the rest would be forced to too.

Farmers have to pay the bills, they can't simply refuse to supply! Nor can they compete against cheaper foreign imports. Iceland (our main shop) for instance don't sell British pork at all, yet they sell plenty of pork, nor do they sell free range chicken.

The public wants cheap meat. Witness the failure of Jamie's chicken campaign. It is as hard to find free range chicken round here as it was before his programme.

[Matt.]

Its all of the above. Primarily its down to the consumer to buy British but that means the supermarkets have to stock it and the goverment has to make sure it allows farmers to compete on a level field where possible.

I always look for country of origin on all produce not just meat and frequently opt not to buy if from abroad. I buy free range chicken and whilst I agree the free range push didn't last long I see a lot more of the "willow farm" produce so its helped a bit. I also check fishing methods and avoid anything bottom trawled opting for line caught instead as I assume this is a more responsible method?

[Glutton4...]

I'm with you there Matt. Unfortunately there are still many many people who buy purely on price. I have a friend who buys large bags of peeled chopped onions in Iceland because it saves her time, and they're dirt-cheap - heaven knows where they come from!

I buy cleaning products, booze and essentials from my nearest supermarket, but food I try to source from local people if at all possible, and yes, I'm on a tight budget too. I'd rather have less of something and have top quality, locally produced goods.

[SueA]

I voted 'other' as well because I think it isn't down to just one of the choices available in the poll. The supermarkets do at the moment have the upper hand & dictate to farmers which price they will pay & could offer a fairer deal to support British farmers without having to put up their own prices a great deal. Consumers can of course boycott supermarkets, petition them etc. but they will always be outnumbered by people struggling with budgets or lacking motivation who will still want to buy cheap produce. It's tempting to say the Tories idea of an ombudsman is the answer but then what else would they meddle with & would politics cloud their judgement?

[RedThorn]

the supermarkets have far too much power as it is! the government? nah not enough backbone! The consumers unfortunately are mostly lead by their pockets.

Try ans support local small independants where possible but it is becoming more and more difficult to do so as they are out priced by the bigger chains and cannot ride downturns like we've just experienced and end up shutting

[HayleyB]

I think it's cheap imports causes main problems