Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Bernard Matthews suppliers, Dairy industry, Agricultural Wages Boards

Former suppliers to Bernard Matthews say they'll be left out of pocket after a deal to sell the company means the new owners haven't taken on its debts and pension liabilities.

Former suppliers to the turkey company Bernard Matthews say they'll lose millions of pounds in money owed, after a deal to sell the company meant the new owners won't take on its debts and pension liabilities. The firm's former owners - the investment firm Rutland Partners - turned down an offer from buyers to take on the liabilities. Rutland Partners says it 'invested significant funds into the Bernard Matthews business over the last three years' and was disappointed the firm had continued to struggle. We speak to one farmer who says he's owed £10,000 by Bernard Matthews but may not see any of that money back.

Vernon Harwood has been to the Dairy Show at the Royal Bath and West Showground where the talk among farmers is of the gap between the rising global price for milk, and what they're being paid by processors.

And - do we still need agricultural wages boards? Some landowners in Scotland want it scrapped.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

13 minutes

Broadcast

  • Fri 7 Oct 201605:45

Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks

Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks

A document of the lives of rural workers in and around three English villages.

Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm

Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm

Charlotte Smith explores how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture.

Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?

Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?

Will we still be able to grow enough food as temperatures rise and rain patterns change?

Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm

Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm

A stand-up comedian, a vegan and a farmer walk into a bar.

Podcast