Farmers left dismayed by delay over watchdog for food industry

A WATCHDOG to police the food industry is now unlikely to be appointed until 2012, it has been confirmed.

Plans to introduce a supermarket ombudsman were unveiled by the previous Government in 2010, to ensure farmers were being given a fair deal for their produce and not subjected to bullying and aggressive behaviour.

Upon being elected, the coalition Government also signalled its intent to appoint such a figure.

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The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has confirmed, however, that no supermarket ombudsman will be appointed this year, prompting dismay from farming leaders who have been campaigning on the issue for some time.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall has previously said that a supermarket ombudsman was essential to give farmers a method of standing up to large corporations. The union’s Government affairs adviser, Nick von Westenholz, told the Yorkshire Post yesterday: “We are disappointed with the lack of progress in recent months in establishing the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

“We have been campaigning for an ombudsman since 2005 so the sooner this becomes a reality the better.

“We can then put an end to some of the bullyboy tactics that have been reported to the National Farmers Union as well as provide greater confidence for producers, and better choice and availability for consumers.”

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A spokeswoman for BIS said the Government hoped to publish something on the matter in the next session of Parliament, with a view to making an appointment in 2012.

The previous Labour Government had committed itself to a supermarket ombudsman in January last year, following the advice of the Competition Commission which conducted a two-year investigation into the groceries industry.

Among its conclusions was that an ombudsman would be necessary to ensure fair prices, not only for farmers but for consumers as well.

Major retailers have continually insisted such a move will mean only increased red tape and higher prices for shoppers.

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