Two Suffolk MPs have signed a letter calling on supermarkets to give farmers a fair deal amid concerns that they are not being paid enough for the food they produce.
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, the MP for Suffolk Coastal, and Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket MP Dr Peter Prinsley are among 47 who have signed a letter to the bosses of the UK's six major supermarket chains expressing concern about the commercial relationship with farmers.
The MPs call on the heads of Sainsbury's, ASDA, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons to address a situation where farmers receive 1p profit for food items they produce, with the prices being set by supermarkets.
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They say their businesses made a pre-tax profit of more than £5 billion last year, but a 200 acre arable family farm made just £27,300 in profit.
In addition, the politicians slam "farmwashing" whereby food that has been imported is described inaccurately as having been grown or reared in the UK.
The letter says: "You will know that farmers carry all the risk, yet they receive only the smallest crumbs of the reward.
The MPs also say that some of the food is produced in "mega farms" that masquerade as a small family farm.
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They call for a meeting with the supermarket bosses to understand how they are going to improve their terms and conditions and level the playing field for farmers in the UK.
The letter adds: "We value the role that supermarkets play in supporting local and national priorities, but more needs to be done to ensure that farmers receive a fair deal and that customers can enjoy an honest portrayal of your products in your store and online."
Glenn Buckingham, chair of the National Farmers Union Suffolk branch, said the market was very competitive and the big chains competed with each other, which put pressure on the supply chain as supermarkets sought to charge less to customers.
He added there was the issue of global trade which had a negative impact on prices.
He said: "I think the first thing to say is thank you to these MPs for hearing what we have been saying for many years and actually doing something and highlighting the issues that agriculture has been saying for many years."
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