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New report calls for “game‑changing” farmer co‑operation

News item

Published
12th November 2019
Last updated
18th November 2020
Topic
Research
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Combine harvester

A new independent report by the Royal Agricultural University has recommended that UK farmer co‑ops team up to help farmers collaborate on a “game-changing” scale and strengthen the sector in the face of Brexit upheaval.

Farmer co-operation in the UK: Opportunities for the industry includes insights into UK farmers’ current views on co-operation – and highlights the potential benefits of greater collaboration. The report found that:

  • Economic advantage is usually the main reason for joining a co-op, but farmers often gain other benefits, such as saving time and being part of a community.
  • The benefits that co-ops can bring are particularly relevant in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit. Co-ops:
    • Increase economic resilience in the face of volatility, uncertainty and the risk of recession.
    • Consolidate bargaining power, in line with their members’ interests, in a tough trading environment.
    • Provide social capital that farmers will need in adapting to change.
    • Offer established platforms for farmers to collaborate in providing and being paid for environmental public goods.
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We welcome this report as it provides an accurate picture on the situation within the sector. It shows that there is a lot that needs to be done to help farmers to co-operate more successfully, but if we can do this then we will have a much more resilient and profitable farming community going forward.
– Richard Self, Agricultural Manager, Co-operatives UK

The findings also highlighted scepticism amongst some farmers towards the co-operative model:

  • Farmers often cite maintaining independence as a reason for not co-operating – but if independence is about achieving personal objectives, co-operating can actually help.
  • There is a perception amongst a significant number of farmers that co-operatives are rigid, inflexible and need to improve their leadership, governance and communication.
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It would be truly game-changing if farmer co-ops teamed up to lead and support a wider co-op movement in farming – one that extends beyond their current members and into new areas like data sharing and farmer-led innovation. Some of the most exciting ways farmers now work together are happening in spite of co-ops, not because of them. Co-ops are big enough to help make these the norm, and would benefit from backing them.
– Professor Tom MacMillan, Royal Agricultural University

Recommendations to come out of the research are:

  • Collaboration between co-operatives needs to be reinforced by government policies that support and facilitate farmer co-operation and collaboration.
  • Initiatives are needed to support the development of the next generation of farmer co-operators and create the leaders who will change attitudes and perceptions.
  • The report also suggests that Defra’s £10 million ‘collaboration fund’ – announced in 2018 to help farmers navigate the transition after Brexit – could be used to help farmers benefit from co-operation.

“This fund could pay for advice, development and innovation support for existing co-ops to help them transition from being run by farmer members to having professional staff. Strengthening governance should be a priority for advice and development.

“Advice could also extend to busting myths about co-ops, including clarifying their status in competition law for farming industry bodies and advisors,” said Professor Tom MacMillan, who led the research.

Farmer co-operation in the UK: Opportunities for the industry
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