Over 550 sugar beet growers have given the NFU Sugar board a clear mandate to continue negotiating on price with British Sugar for the 2014/15 beet crop.

It came during an NFU grower meeting at the East of England showground on Tuesday (18 June) attended by over 350 people, many of whom the union said were representing multiple growers.  The latest chapter in an ongoing spat between growers and British Sugar, which has a monopoly on processing, follows NFU Sugar rejecting the British Sugar price offer announcement of £30.67/t during the Cereals event last week.

In March producers threatened to stop growing sugar beet, or else supply anaerobic digesters with their crops in protest against contract prices and conditions at British Sugar's plants. Some have urged for the groceries adjudicator to investigate the sugar supply chain.

In a motion proposed from the floor, growers agreed to forward contract details and pledges on to the negotiators on the NFU Sugar board to underline the unified commitment from the sector during negotiations on price.

Board chair William Martin said at the meeting in Cambridgeshire this week, "We are sick of being at the bottom of the European price table. That is something that needs to change.

"So we now move into phase two of negotiations with British Sugar. This demonstration of strength sends a clear signal to them that we are united and we will be expecting a much better price if they want us to agree," he added.

Martin continued, "It is important to remember that it is not down to British Sugar to decide how much our farms are worth, it is down to each farmer individually. I feel very strongly that your farms are worth more than the current British Sugar offer, and we must remain resolute and united as negotiations continue in the coming months. Today's meeting has given us a clear mandate to keep negotiating for a better, fairer price for all sugar beet growers, and ensure that the price you are paid reflects the value of the crop you grow."