This summer has seen direct action by farmers in protest over falling dairy and meat prices. Farmers have blockaded milk distribution centres and even brought cattle into supermarkets. For many farmers, falling prices paid for their products, including wheat, lamb, beef and pigmeat, are leading to an uncertain future.


Changing global markets and national conditions have made prices volatile. Policies of the EU, UK Government, and individual retailers and processors have a significant impact on prices paid, while consumer choices also shape markets. The Committee wishes to inquire into the impact of these and other factors on farmgate prices, and measures that could be taken to improve prospects for the agriculture industry.

Terms of reference

Written submissions are invited on the following issues:

• The sectors and locations where falling farmgate prices are affecting farmers, and the main causes of price reductions
• the anticipated short, medium and long-term impacts on the dairy, meat and arable sectors
• the government’s role in supporting farmers and securing UK food production
• where the different UK nations are particularly effective, or ineffective, in supporting the dairy,  meat and arable industries
• the effectiveness of EU measures in addressing the impact of market surpluses on prices
• what support, if any, processors and retailers should give to UK farmers and produce. Examples could include, but not limited to, long-term contracts, improved labelling, reduction in overseas imports
• the effectiveness of the regime established under the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013 in ensuring fair and stable prices, including for dairy and meat producers

Notes on submission of evidence

Written submissions for this inquiry should be submitted via the Farmgate prices inquiry page on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.

The deadline is noon on Monday 12 October 2015. As a guideline submissions should state clearly who the submission is from e.g. ‘Written evidence submitted by xxxx’ and be no longer than 2000 words, please contact the Committee staff if you wish to discuss this.

Submissions must be a self-contained memorandum in Word or Rich Text Format (not pdfs). Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference, and the document should, if possible, include an executive summary.

Submissions should be original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere. Once submitted, your submission becomes the property of the Committee and no public use should be made of it unless you have first obtained permission from the Clerk of the Committee. Please bear in mind that Committees are not able to investigate individual cases.
Publishing submissions

The Committee normally, though not always, chooses to publish the written evidence it receives, either by publishing it on the internet or by making it publicly available through the Parliamentary Archives. If there is any information you believe to be sensitive you should highlight it and explain what harm you believe would result from its disclosure; the Committee will take this into account in deciding whether to publish or further disclose the evidence.

The personal information you supply will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 for the purposes of attributing the evidence you submit and contacting you as necessary in connection with its processing. The Clerk of the House of Commons is the data controller for the purposes of the Act.
Further information

You can tweet @CommonsEFRA about farmgate pricing using #farmgateUK