No-name grievances procedure urged

COMPLAINTS to the soon-to-be-created supermarket ombudsman must be anonymous, an influential dairy farming organisation has insisted.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th May 2010, 16:38 BST
Updated 7th May 2010, 16:38 BST

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has appealed for all grievances made to the new groceries watchdog to be made without disclosing the name of the complainant, in order to protect them from what it described as retailers' "swinging powers".

Tom Rabbetts, technical and policy adviser with the association, said his organisation had been generally supportive of the movements being made by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills to introduce the ombudsman to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

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However, he said : "We have warned of the destruction that can be caused to dairy producers, if retailers decide to retaliate in response to a farmer complaint by changing their suppliers.

"We believe that the department needs to understand the importance of anonymity when a complaint is made to the enforcement body. If a retailer is investigated, gets wind of the complainant and decides to flex its muscles, then the effects could be disastrous.

"The minimum damage caused would be a huge blow to the supplier's reputation, but potentially the loss of a contract they depend on, through no fault of their own.

"Supply contracts between retailers and suppliers are far too flexible at times so it is crucial that the new enforcement body is introduced as soon as possible to regulate the chain."

The position of a supermarket ombudsman is expected to be formally created in the next parliament, with all major parties having committed to its creation.

CW 8/5/10