George calls for final push to create a Supermarket Watchdog

ANDREW GEORGE

HOUSE OF COMMONS

The MP who chairs the national Grocery Market Action Group (GMAG) Andrew George, has today called on the Government to make the final big push to create a supermarket watchdog by including it in the Queen’s Speech, if not before.

Mr George said:

“The call for a supermarket watchdog has cross-party support and there can be no excuses for further delay. Every day that goes by mean that more food producers will go out of business due to bullyboy tactics of supermarket buyers. It is time for the Government to confirm that the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill will be put before Parliament in the next session, if not before.

The progress of this campaign has been met with constant opposition from some of the large supermarkets. If they have nothing to hide then they have nothing to fear.”

Mr George has campaigned for the creation of a supermarket watchdog since 2000. The GMAG includes in its membership the National Farmers’ Union, the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, the British Independent Fruit Growers Association, Friends of the Earth, ActionAid, Traidcraft, the Association of Convenience Stores and others.