We must trust the food chain, says Sir Ben
leaders over the weekend, has called for international co-operation
between farmer-controlled businesses and trust in the food chain.
The UK National Farmers' Union president Sir Ben Gill, meeting key European food industry leaders over the weekend, has called for international co-operation between farmer-controlled businesses and trust in the food chain.
Sir Ben was in the Milan region of Italy addressing a food chain conference organised by the NFU's Italian counterpart, Coldiretti, to discuss a range of issues crucial to the food and farming sector.
During the two-day event in the Lake Como area, he held meetings with fellow speakers European Commission President Romano Prodi and agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler, as well as representatives from leading Italian food companies.
"I used the conference as an opportunity to hammer home the importance of trust within the food chain. This is something that is all too often lacking in the UK to the detriment of every link in the chain," commented Sir Ben on his return to the UK.
The impact of fluctuating currency exchange rates and the reforms of the CAP were also high on the agenda, as were relations with European food companies.
"There is a need for more international co-operation between farmer-controlled businesses to develop efficiencies of scale that can match the big international global food companies with which we have to do business," said the NFU president.
When Europe's 15 Member States become 25 due to European enlargement early next year, Sir Ben's words will be even more pertinent. Co-operation - not least in the food safety domain - will be a key driver between European food companies and the farmers that supply them.
