The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
MP Sir John Hayes has urged agricultural businesses to take part in a review of the supply chain that ends this week (Thursday, February 22).
The Government is currently holding a public review into the UK’s fresh produce sector supply chain.
Sir John also recently convened a meeting of local farmers and growers, the Spalding Branch of the NFU and the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), the independent body which regulate the relationship between suppliers and supermarkets.
Sir John said: “It was great to hear from local producers about some of the challenges they face.
“I know Mark White of the GCA is sincere in wanting to do more to hold the major retailers to account.
“Having been involved, as a minister, in establishing the adjudicator, I’ve long been concerned about the supermarkets power distorting the food chain, and so strongly support the adjudicator having more means to enforce the Supply Code of Practice.
“Mark wanted to reassure those around the table that he provides full anonymity when dealing with issues.
“I would like to see further changes whereby the supermarkets cannot undervalue or undersell a product below the cost of production. Aggressive price fixing is, in my view, the kind of sharp practice that should be stopped.”
The consultation is at – https://consult.defra.gov.uk/supply-chain- fairness/contractual-relationships-in-the-uk-freshproduce-i/
