Roger Williams MP calls for extension of Grocery Code Adjudicator’s role
Sharp decreases in the price of commodities, such as milk, lamb and beef, have highlighted the limitations of the Grocery Code Adjudicator.
Roger Williams MP chaired a session of the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum
Sharp decreases in the price of commodities, such as milk, lamb and beef, have highlighted the limitations of the Grocery Code Adjudicator. Roger Williams MP asked the Minister responsible for Agriculture to extend the role, but was told that the present system satisfactory.
Roger Williams commented afterwards:
“Recent experience with the dramatic reduction in the price of milk being sold off the farm has highlighted the restricted role that the Grocery Code Adjudicator or supermarket ombudsman has at its disposal. The adjudicator can only supervise the voluntary code relating to the sale of produce from the farmer directly to the supermarkets. Most farmers, including the 2500 in my constituency, almost all sell to abattoirs and meat processors before their product lands on the supermarket shelf.
“It is important that the whole of the food chain, from the farm gate to the customer, is transparent if we are to ensure that no excessive profit is made by anyone of the suppliers.
“I was pleased when the Adjudicator was introduced, but now we need to build on that to make sure that it is fit for purpose. That both the farmer and the consumer is getting good value.”
Later on in the week, Roger Williams MP chaired a session of the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum when there was a high level discussion on reform of the CAP. Meurig Raymond, President of NFU, was one of the keynote speakers.
Roger Williams MP said:
“Formulating a Common Agriculture Policy for the whole of the European Union is a difficult ask. Farming is so different in Greece than it is in Finland. However, a common policy is important so that UK farmers can export for instance the 40% of our lamb production, which exceeds home demand.
“An official from DEFRA said that they believed direct payment to farmers were a poor and inefficient way of supporting agriculture. However, I pointed out that for those farmers experiencing low prices for milk, lamb and beef the direct payment ensured that there was sufficient cash in the business to invest for next year’s production. The Pillar II money, while being welcomed, will not replace the importance of direct payments.
“Meurig Raymond, President of the NFU, made a powerful and impressive presentation on the importance of agriculture and the food industry to the UK economy. 15% of our national GDP derives from food production, processing and retail.”
