The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is inviting agricultural producers that supply retailers direct to two roundtable meetings during the spring.
The GCA is seeking experiences and views from suppliers and others in the sector on how the 10 regulated retailers are complying with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.
The GCA supplier workshops will take place on March 27, in London, and April 3, in Manchester.
Adjudicator Christine Tacon stressed that it was important for the GCA to hear at first-hand from direct suppliers of groceries about some of the issues affecting their supply to retailers.
She told the National Pig Association (NPA): “Often it is with smaller groups of suppliers and in closed discussions that I get to hear about important information that helps me to monitor retailer compliance with the Code.”
The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) last week set out proposals for a stronger alignment of farming and supply chain policy after the UK leaves the EU.
James Graham, SAOS Chief Executive, said: “The absence of a legally-backed obligation is acting as a constraint to supply chain improvements. This might be achieved by extending the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to the trading relationships between farmers and large scale buyers, backed by powers to review and impose sanction where poor practice is found to be evident.”
In December, the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) highlighted the need for a better functioning food supply chain as a basic element of the UK’s post-Brexit planning.
TFA National Chairman Stephen Wyrill said there is a 'growing recognition' that the food supply chain in the UK is 'dysfunctional'.
