Grocery adjudicator should do spot inspections

Tenant farmers say the appointment of a retail adjudicator who has the power to make spot checks on retailers must be a high priority for the government.

Tenant Farmers Association vice chairman, Stephen Wyrill, told visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show he wanted the adjudicator to have “parachute powers” to conduct short-notice inspections of individual retailers to ensure they were adhering to the code of practice.

“This power is currently missing from the draft bill and needs to be included. It will ensure large retailers are aware they are at risk of inspection at any time. The ‘name and shame’ tactic is not sufficient.”

Mr Wyrill said the code of practice has been found wanting. “Further delay on the appointment of an adjudicator will allow bad practice to continue.”