Supermarket code one step nearer

17 March 2000



Supermarket code one step nearer

By Alistair Driver

THE introduction of a code of practice designed to protect farmers from supermarkets who abuse excessive buying power is moving closer.

Prompted by the ongoing Competition Commission supermarket inquiry, big retailers are currently having talks with the NFU about a food industry code.

Five supermarkets are involved in hearings this month, after which the commission will decide if they operate against the public interest

Helen Lo, NFU head of food and marketing: “I believe we can now develop a credible code of practice regardless of the findings of the inquiry.”

The Tenant Farmers Association has urged the commission to introduce a statutory code if it concludes that supermarkets have been abusing their power

George Dunn, TFA chief executive said the inquiry was an opportunity to discover where the difference between farm gate and retail price goes.