Appointment of grocery adjudicator welcomed

AGRICULTURE Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has welcomed the appointment of a Groceries Code Adjudicator to enforce the Groceries Code of Practice.

Minister O’Neill, pictured, said: “I welcome the announcement by the British government of the appointment of an independent adjudicator to regulate the interactions between the largest grocery retailers and their direct suppliers in Britain and in the north. My position on this important matter has consistently been that we need an adjudicator with real power.

“I am pleased that the British government has listened to stakeholders and agreed that the adjudicator will have the power to fine supermarkets which do not adhere to the groceries code of practice. I therefore hope that this appointment will have a positive impact for farmers and others in the supply chain and plan to meet with the adjudicator in the near future to relay the local industry’s concerns.”