Supermarket watchdog needed now say Friends of the Earth

Responding to the Competition Commission’s referral to Government of the decision on a supermarket Ombudsman, Friends of the Earth’s food campaigner Helen Rimmer said:

"Despite a major investigation which found the supermarkets guilty of abusing their buyer power, the Competition Commission has failed to get agreement for a watchdog which would stamp out the worst practices of the supermarkets and get a better deal for consumers.

"At a time when many farmers and small businesses are struggling to survive, the big supermarkets continue to post record profits.

"The Government must stand up to the big retailers and set up an independent watchdog to put an end to the supermarkets’ bullying behaviour and secure a fairer deal for shoppers and farmers alike."