Alleged oilseed rape contamination

Published on Wednesday, 10 October 2012 10:26

Posted by Vicki Mitchem

The NFU has learned of an alleged incident of contaminated oilseed rape being delivered for processing in the South of England.

This has resulted in a grain merchant commencing an investigation of all the deliveries of oilseed rape into their store. In the meantime, the grain merchant has also written to farmers who supplied oilseed rape into their store to explain that it is commencing a claim against them under the FOSFA dispute resolution procedure required by the purchase contract.

The grain merchant is protecting their position by immediately commencing arbitration because the FOSFA time periods are very short. Farmers put on notice of FOSFA arbitration proceedings need to respond immediately because the time period to appoint their own arbitrator is also very short.

Farmers who receive a letter concerning contaminated oilseed rape that they may have supplied are advised to immediately call NFU Callfirst on 0870 845 8458 to register their details in the first instance.

The NFU Legal Assistance Scheme has agreed to offer financial assistance towards the affected members' costs of obtaining initial advice to ascertain their legal position and how best to proceed in the circumstances.

In order to avoid duplication of advice and to save costs, the NFU has appointed one of its legal panel firms, Thrings, to provide the advice to our members who will register their details with NFU CallFirst.

Source: ©NFU