A Fair Deal for Farmers

5.05.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Apr 2005

Stephen Rutherford Asks " Are Farmers Getting A Fair Price ?"

Liberal Democrat challenger Stephen Rutherford calls on supermarkets to pay a fair price for food.

Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Rutherford attended a recent local meeting organised by the Campaign for the Protection of rural England (CPRE) on the future for farming. This was held at Bromham, on Weds 6th April.

One of the most important points raised was how little British farmers earn from food sales. For every £1 spent in supermarkets, local farmers typically get only 9p.

Commenting on this, Stephen Rutherford said:

" This is appalling. Local farmers are being put under huge financial pressure by massive supermarket businesses. This is damaging the local economy and threatening the whole future of the countryside"

As mentioned at the meeting, Liberal Democrat policy would introduce a legal duty to force supermarkets to trade fairly, backed up by the Office of Fair Trading. Liberal democrats would make sure this did not lead to increased prices for the consumer. Commenting again, Stephen Rutherford said:

"A fair price for farmers would NOT increase prices. Tesco's record £2 billion profits show that the supermarkets can afford to pay a fair price."

Summing up the importance of the policy, challenger Stephen Rutherford said:

Liberal Democrats want to Guarantee Fair Prices for Farmers

"N E Bedfordshire needs farming and farmers need a fair price. The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a policy to make this happen."

For further information contact:

Stephen Rutherford

50 Greycote

Shortstown

Tel 01234 740464

Mobile 07743 394920

nebedslibdems@aol.com

www.nebedslibdems.org.uk