Nick Marston, Chairman of British Berry Growers, comments on the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex)’s proposed changes to its audit system (SMETA 7.0) which could require agricultural and growing companies to pay the recruitment and transport costs (employer principle) of the seasonal workers they employ under the so-called ’employer principle’:

“UK berry growers employ thousands of seasonal workers every year to help with berry picking and on our farms. The new SMETA 7.0 audit requirements could cost the berry industry an extra £60 million a year. This is simply not sustainable and could wipe out the berry sector in one fell swoop.

“The new requirements have been introduced without adequate consultation and before an impact assessment by the BRC (British Retail Consortium) and Defra on the viability of the employer payment principle. This assessment is due to be completed in spring 2025. There is currently no clarity on how the supply chain will pay for these new requirements. We are very concerned that producers could be forced to foot the bill. A bill they simply cannot afford.”

“This new standard has the potential to cause chaos and stress in the berry industry if it is introduced without appropriate consultation throughout the supply chain.”

As a representative of British berry growers, he points out the following measures:

• The current requirement that the employer must cover travel and visa costs is to be removed from the SEDEX 7.0 audit.
• The British Retail Consortium confirms that no action will be taken if suppliers do not meet these targets.
• Fair consultation across the supply chain. In future, all Farm Packhouse Assurance Schemes should have a mandatory requirement for an appropriate governance structure that allows for full consultation with all stakeholders and takes into account all consequences of the scheme requirements, both in terms of costs and practical implementation.
• A separate cost item will be introduced within retail prices when the employer payment principle and other standards (e.g. the increasing travel costs associated with net zero supplements) apply, so that the costs to producers are fully recognised and compensated.

“The cost burden cannot be borne by our members without the costs being borne by either retailers or the government. This has serious implications for inflation and safety in UK food prices.”

For more information:
British berry growers
Phone: +44 20 7575 7654
E-mail: (email protected)