Tensions between British Sugar, the UK's monopoly beet processor, and growers around the country are growing as the deadline for contracts sent out by the processor draws nearer. NFU, whose sugar board negotiates on behalf of beet growers, has said earlier this month that British Sugar sent the contracts out without first having reached an agreement with growers' representatives, and has urged producers not to sign.

British sugar has responded that it was legally obliged to sent out contracts, but NFU is calling on growers to "stand firm" whilst the sugar board continues to demand a better price for them. NFU representatives are due to meet with the processors on Wednesday (10th July).

Following a meeting in Peterborough, NFU said growers should pledge their contracts to the union to demonstrate their support. On Wednesday, the union said that it has so far received "a high quantity of tonnage pledges" from farmers happy for the NFU to represent them. The latest total, released on Tuesday 9th July, was over 2.6 million tonnes.

The union said it would update the figure regularly. The deadline for British Sugar contracts, sent out after the Sugar Board rejected the processor's offer of £30.67/ tonne at the Cereals Event in June, is 31st July.  

NFU said, "British Sugar need over 7 million tonnes of beet annually. If we stand united we can finally push to achieve a fair and reasonable price for our beet, which has been eroded over many years."

NFU Sugar board chair Robert Law claimed British Sugar had attempted to circumvent further negotiations by going direct to growers with contracts, in a bid to get them to comply individually. He said this amounted to using tactics of "bullying and intimidation." He added that the current struggle represents "a new low" in relations between growers and the country's sole processor.