NFU Sugar Successes
NFU successes within the Sugar sector - December 2009
2010/11 negotiations complete
The NFU and British Sugar completed negotiations for the 2010/11 contract. All contracted tonnage will be paid at £26/T with an additional £1/T (as in 2009/10) added to the transport allowance fund, provided agreement is reached on a longer term framework by March 2010.
NFU support at grower meeting
600 beet growers, representing over two million contracted tones, attended a meeting organised by the NFU in September. There was unanimous support for the NFU's negotiation position and mandate as sole negotiator.
Seed deal agreed
The NFU has successfully negotiated a 2 year deal for seed dressing and pelleting with Germain's Technology Group. The deal introduces a new penalty clause to protect growers' interests in the event that seed supply is delayed or disrupted.
Environmental sustainability
The industry is producing a report to highlight the environmental sustainability of the UK sugar beet crop. This will be part of a wider discussion with policy makers in the UK and Brussels as discussions on the future of the sugar regime get under way later in 2010. It will complement work done by producer and processor organisations at EU level.
Transport recommendations considered
The independent transport efficiency study, partly funded by EEDA and EMDA, has successfully concluded with recommendations on how to drive efficiency and cut costs in beet transport. Those recommendations are currently under consideration by the NFU and British Sugar.
