BORDERS PRODUCERS NEED A FAIR DEAL - GROCERY OMBUDSMAN LONG OVERDUE

10.22.00pm GMT Thu 7th Jan 2010

Jim Hume MSP, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, and Borders MP, Michael Moore, have today made further calls for UK Ministers to create a grocery ombudsman which will tackle inequities in the food supply chain.

The Parliamentarians have made the repeated call after receiving a letter from UK Consumer Affairs Minister, Kevin Brennan MP, in which he states that the UK Government is still considering the issue.

Jim Hume MSP said:

"My colleagues and I have been calling for the introduction of an ombudsman for many months now. Such a body would have the effect of ironing out the inequities in the food supply chain, thereby giving producers in the Borders a fairer deal in contractual negotiations with supermarkets and other large retailers.

"The Minister talks about the introduction of a competition test in the planning system and whilst this would be a welcome step, only an ombudsman will address flaws in the complicated food supply chain which rarely favours the primary producer.

"The Competition Commission was quite explicit that an ombudsman with a clearly defined Groceries Supply Code of Conduct is essential in tackling existing unfairness in the supply chain. Ministers now need to stop delaying its creation for the economic health of producers across the Borders."

Local Borders MP, Michael Moore, added:

"Though the introduction of a competition test would certainly help our local retailers, it would offer little for producers in the Borders. At present, there is a complete imbalance between the power of the supermarkets and their suppliers, particularly in agriculture. Action to address the abuses of market power that have left many of our farmers out of pocket is long overdue.

'Farmers, suppliers and consumers in the Borders will all benefit from the establishment of an independent watchdog to protect their interests - Ministers need to stop stalling and implement the recommendations of the Competition Commission as a matter of urgency."