Rural economy experts the CLA have welcomed the report published by the Church of England, which supports the organisation's calls for an independent ombudsman, saying that it has given the issue a valuable high profile at a very important time.
The report "Fairtrade begins at home: Supermarkets and the effect on British farming livelihoods" recommends consideration of an independent ombudsman with arbitration and regulatory powers, saying that the Current Supermarket Code of Conduct Code of Conduct is not working, and suppliers will not act to reduce fear of reprisals for "speaking out".
Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North said: "We couldn't have put it better ourselves. The strength of opinion is now overwhelming, coming as it does on the back of the Competition Commissions preliminary findings and our own proposals from 2004"
"Of course it is not all bad news. Supermarkets are a valued and essential part of the food supply chain, and much progress has been made in some areas, with some commendable initiatives by farmers and supermarkets. There is a growing and sustained demand from consumers for local and home produced food, and supermarkets can work with farm shops, local shops and farmers markets to meet it.
"But the fact remains that size does matter, and the considerable buying power of the big retailers must not be allowed to get out of hand and skew the supply chain. An independent ombudsman is the only way forward, and now we all have a chance to call for this by replying to the Competition Commission's consultation on the Groceries market by the deadline of 27 November.
"We all know this is important for Britain's farmers and consumers. Let's do it now." concluded Mr Chalmers.
