Should sugar beet growers refuse to sign fresh contracts with monopoly supplier British Sugar unless it offers more than the EU minimum price for their crops?

Several producers in our Sugar Beet Special Grower Poll (see below) in 14 July issue of Farmers Weekly suggest they would be prepared to do just that – but as one puts it: “Yes! If I knew everyone else was doing the same.”

Will you continue growing beet? What should the NFU do? Why not add some comments in the Talking Point forum where you can view all the questions we asked in the poll?

Not that we grow a very large acreage of beet, but if an average yield of beet at the new prices doesnt make as much money as a reasonable wheat crop, then I dont see the point in growing it any more. Its a constant faff in terms of spraying; I dont like paying money to contractors; and we invariably have a less than ideal seedbed for the followng wheat crop.

If it dont pay, say nay.

Its sad to say, that beet has had its day.

In two years time, the beet crop for most growers will do little more than break even. Or so the figures suggest. That said, beet growers shouldn't just accept rubbish prices, keep pressurising British Sugar to pay a better price. Let your NFU contacts know, don't just sit on your hands, say what you think.

If sugar ends up being imported from distant countries, such as Brazil. It will be an own goal for the food miles camaign.