Farmers’ watchdog to put bite on store chains

FARMERS will finally be granted an independent watchdog to oversee their struggle with powerful supermarkets when a long awaited bill to set up a ‘groceries adjudicator’ is unveiled in next week’s Queen Speech.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman told MPs who are backing the measure that they “will not be disappointed” when the Queen unveils the legislative programme for the coming year on May 9.

But it appears the new watchdog will not initially be given the powers to fine supermarkets which act unfairly – a power farmers is crucial if the adjudicator is to be effective.

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Rather, that power will be ‘reserved’ within the legislation – meaning it can be brought in at a later date if required.

Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton and the Conservative chairman of the Environment Committee, said this would not go far enough to help farmers.

“It’s very important the adjudicator has the power to impose fines on supermarkets, and that it has the power off its own bat to investigate where it thinks there may be a breach of the adjudicator’s code,” she said.

“If the power to impose fines was only reserved then that’s just not going to have the teeth.”

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She said the bill must also allow for farmers to make complaints to the adjudicator via a third party.

She said: “There are a limited number of growers in the country and they are often on month-to-month contracts with these supermarkets.

“A supermarket can very easily find out who has made a complaint and growers would be fearful of losing their contract the following month – they really are living hand to mouth. We just want to restore some balance.”

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