May 2008
Sugar Beet – a Bitter Taste
It is a huge frustration to report that, despite the NAAC’s negotiations with Defra, it seems our arguments have fallen on deaf ears as the distribution of aid between farmers and growers has been announced.
Within the deal, growers have an allocation of aid that is distributed only to growers. In addition, there is a further 10% of the aid reserved for contractors and growers. The proposal is that this is to be split 86% to growers and 14% to contractors. This amounts to a sum of around £1 million to be divided amongst contractors.
The NAAC is outraged at this divide and we have lobbied Defra, putting our case across that the percentage paid to contractors should be significantly higher. The NAAC is currently in discussion with CEETTAR, our European Association, to decide our next move. We understand Germany and France are in a similar stand-off position.