§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage the establishment of marketing co-operatives in the agricultural sector. [62190]
§ Mr. RookerI wish to encourage all forms of collaborative marketing, not just co-operatives.
My noble Friend, Lord Donoughue, and Ben Gill, President of the National Farmers' Union, launched a major MAFF and NFU initiative to stimulate interest in collaborative marketing on 29 November, at the Royal Smithfield Show.
The benefits of collaboration for our primary producers include increased scale, of the kind demanded by today's big customers; access to professional marketing, technical and administrative support; cohesive negotiating ability; improved supply chain communication; and the many other benefits that come through bigger businesses.
Over the coming months the NFU will hold some 36 focus group discussions around the country both to highlight these benefits to producers and to identify barriers to producer involvement. Key issues identified will, if appropriate, be addressed through the MAFF seminar programme. There will also be a number of open days at successful farmer controlled businesses, next Spring. We aim to report progress at next year's Royal Show.