Close to half of British fruit and vegetable farmers fear they will go out of business in the next 12 months.

49% of British fruit and vegetable farmers fear they will go out of business within the next 12 months, according to research carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of organic veg box company Riverford.

Three quarters of those surveyed said that supermarket behaviour is a significant factor. 

Many high-profile names, including TV chef Rick Stein, conservationist Chris Packham and musician and farmer Marcus Mumford, have lent their support to Riverford's Get Fair About Farming campaign. An open letter they signed called on all supermarkets to make five commitments to farmers:

• Buy what you committed to buy
• Pay on time
• Commit for the long term
• Agree on fair specifications
• Pay what you agreed to pay

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, met with Guy Singh-Watson, the Riverford founder to discuss the Get Fair About Farming Campaign.

They explored the power imbalance between supermarket buyers and farmers, the potential for biodiversity loss as small family farms leave the market and the importance of honesty and transparency in the supply process.

An online petition calling for the Groceries Supply Code of Practice to be amended to better protect farmers attracted almost 113,000 signatures, with the Somerton and Frome constituency in the top five for signatories nationwide.

The petition prompted a parliamentary debate earlier this week, in which Sarah Dyke demanded a fair deal for the work farmers do and the food they supply.

Speaking in the debate, Sarah Dyke MP said: "Polling from More in Common shows that 88% of the public think it is important that farmers are paid fairly for their work, and they would even pay a little more if they knew the money went to support British farming.

"However, food does not need to be expensive; just a bigger proportion needs to go back to the farmer.

"Tackling contractual unfairness in the agrifood supply chain is central to ensuring fairness. Farmers are operating in a marketplace where they have little control or say over who they sell their produce to."