Supermarket ombudsman plans announced
18 January 2010
The NFU has described today's government plans to introduce a supermarkets ombudsman as a victory for common sense and the consumer.
The move for an independent arbiter of the new Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice is in line with recommendations from the Competition Commission, which conducted two lengthy investigations, and follows ten years' of NFU lobbying for a fair and transparent supply chain.
NFU President Peter Kendall said today's news was a victory for that hard work, which has included in-depth responses to the commission investigations.
He congratulated DBIS and Defra ministers.
Mr Kendall said: "We've worked incredibly hard to make this a reality and we can at last see light at the end of the tunnel. When the new strengthened code comes into force we need a proactive and robust enforcement mechanism in place as soon as possible.
"This current investigation into the grocery market began in 2006; 2010 must be the year we begin to eradicate unfair dealing and protect investment and innovation in British agriculture for the benefit of both farmers and growers and consumers."
Ten years' of work - see our timeline towards an ombudsman here.
Another long-time ombudsman campaigner, chairman of the Grocery Market Action Group Andrew George MP, noted that there would be a delay during a three-month consultation on the plan.
He said: "This is welcome, as far as it goes. However, government ought to implement the Competition Commission's recommendation without delay. The commission referred this matter to the Business Secretary five months ago.
"Supermarkets have been posting record profits in a recession. They have, of course, worked hard to resist this measure but there will be quiet jubilation amongst British farmers and in the developing world.
"Larger retailers have grown to become very powerful and can dictate market conditions. Their practices have transformed over 20 years from their effective and successful use of their power to an unacceptable abuse of their market muscle."
