The BMPA and the NFU have agreed the scope of a new code of practice for the purchase of cattle which is now set to be introduced. Processing companies so far signed up to the code include:

  • ABP Food Group
  • Dovecote Park Limited
  • Kepak Group
  • Randall Parker Foods
  • 2 Sisters Food Group
  • Woodheads/Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

According to QMS: "It seems likely then that Scottish and GB cattle finishers are benefiting from the multiple retailers’ commitments to British beef made at the time of the horsemeat debacle."

At last year’s Beef Summit, hosted by Defra food and farming minister George Eustice, the BMPA gave an undertaking to develop a processor code of practice for the purchase of cattle, aimed at enhancing transparency and trust in relations between processors and livestock producers.The code is voluntary and does not cover prices. It has two main features: it commits individual processor signatories to being open and clear about their own company’s terms and conditions of trading, and signatories undertake to give 12 weeks’ notice of changes to these terms and conditions.Cattle processors across the UK - whether or not they are member companies of the BMPA - are now being encouraged to sign up to the code.There are also other parties in the beef supply chain, including retailers, food service companies and renderers, who we urge to operate according to the principles and in the spirit of the code in order to help to minimise volatility and uncertainty in the supply chain.BMPA President, Peter Mitchell, said: “Responsible and forward-thinking processors understand the need to be open about their terms and conditions of trading with their producer suppliers and to give reasonable notice of changes to them. Signing up to the code is a visible sign of this recognition, and a commitment to constructive relations with beef producers in order to improve the efficiency of the beef supply chain and so together we can better meet the needs of the marketplace.”NFU Livestock Board Chairman, Charles Sercombe said: “This is a welcome step in the right direction as we continue to seek more openness and transparency in the supply chain. What is critical to our members is the stability that this code should bring, which will allow producers to plan ahead and market their cattle without sudden or unexpected changes to conditions of sale. We hope this will help beef producers to manage the volatility we have seen in recent years and provide a clearer understanding of the terms and conditions that are on offer”.Steve Durrant, Vice Chairman of the renderers association, FABRA UK, said: “All efforts to improve transparency and promote fair and responsible trade should be applauded. As an integral part of the food supply chain our members welcome initiatives of this type and we fully endorse this new code of practice.”

This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.

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