P AGRICULTURE
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Three hauliers picked for British Sugar beet
A RADICAL PILOT scheme that could transform the way sugar beet is transported in the future starts next month, with three hauliers chosen to take part in the project.
After negotiations between the National Farmers Union and British Sugar took place earlier this year (CM 1 April), it was agreed that sugar beet growers could opt out of the transportation of the crop, paving the way for hauliers to tender for contracts direct with the sugar giant. British Sugar says it has now found three hauliers to take part in its pilot at its Newark, Notts, and Wissington, Norfolk, factories. The campaign lasts from mid-September to the end of February.
The company's head of commercial agriculture, Richard Nichols, says: "We had a lot of interest, probably in the region of 30 hauliers enquired about the work. This year is a pilot: if we roll it out afterwards, We would like to increase the number of contractors.
"We obviously wanted quality of service in terms of the ability to do it, to be able to provide loading equipment, and a willingness to operate over a reasonably large geographical area."
British Sugar will name three hauliers when the contracts are signed. lowever, March, Cambs-based D&J Transport confirms it is one of he three chosen firms. Director Marianne Tibbett says: "We are bound by British Sugar's terms and conditions, but I can say we are involved n the pilot scheme and we are looking forward to working with it."