13 January 2010
Immediate release

LOCAL LABOUR POLITICIANS WELCOME SUPERMARKET OMBUDSMAN

Local Labour politicians Russell Brown MP and Elaine Murray MSP have today (13 January) backed plans for a grocery ombudsman to be established in the UK.

The UK Government has accepted a Competition Commission recommendation for the creation of an ombudsman and a consultation will now follow.

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown has backed the move, saying it could help farmers secure a fairer price for their produce. The MP said, “Time and time again local farmers tell me that they have major concerns at the way they are treated by supermarkets- particularly in relation to the price supermarkets pay them for their produce. The power of supermarkets seems to have been ever increasing in recent years to the detriment of producers, and it’s now time that serious attempts are made to redress this unfair balance.

“Supermarkets had the opportunity to voluntarily enter into a scheme, but they failed to agree, so now the Competition Commission has rightly stepped in to call on the Government to create an ombudsman, which I hope it will, and quickly.

“An ombudsman with tough powers to deal with supermarkets if they break the code of practice, could help to create more trust and transparency in the supply chain, which is what local farmers have been calling for.”
 
Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray added: “"It is important that the ombudsman ensures that farmers get a fair price for their products in order to safeguard their future.

"Scottish Labour has been campaigning for this position to be set up and I hope that it can be established as quickly as possible and that everyone involved will be on board."

ENDS

CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Last year the Competition Commission formally recommended to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that it should establish an Ombudsman to arbitrate on disputes between grocery retailers and suppliers and investigate complaints under the new Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

For more information please visit: http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/