Supermarket watchdog only after election

A WATCHDOG to resolve disputes between supermarkets and their suppliers will not be put in place until after the general election, the Government disclosed yesterday.

As reported in the Yorkshire Post, Ministers announced last week that an independent ombudsman would be appointed to enforce a new code of practice between farmers and retailers.

Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick acknowledged yesterday that a consultation exercise on the plan would put back the appointment until after the election, expected in May.

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His comments, in a debate on the food industry, sparked complaints about the delay from the Tories and Liberal Democrats.

Shadow agriculture Minister Jim Paice said the Conservatives were committed to an ombudsman "but all we've got is a further consultation from the Government."

Liberal Democrat spokesman Andrew George said the supermarkets would want to "string this out for as long as they possibly can."

He added: "There have been inquiries enough, and consultation enough. Why not implement it now?"

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But Mr Fitzpatrick said there were still differences of opinion about how an ombudsman should operate.

The consultation will offer certainty that after the election campaign there will be an ombudsman and all three parties will have had the opportunity to discuss what its powers should be.