Clegg calls for farming protection

The Liberal Democrat leader has called for a 'food trade inspector' with powers to investigate complaints of unfair treatment for farmers.

Speaking to the annual conference of the National Farmers' Union on Tuesday, Nick Clegg said tougher regulation was needed of supermarkets, which he labelled 'trolleygarchs'.

He said farmers must be given a fair price for their produce, decided by an undistorted market.

"I'm a liberal. I believe the market should set prices for goods," he said.

"When that drives efficiency from farmers, and benefits consumers, I welcome it.

"But if it is delivered by threats, blacklisting, and bully-boy tactics, if it delivers only profits for the retailer, not lower prices on the shelf, the market has failed.

"We already have proof of price-fixing on milk. And some supermarkets used catastrophes like foot-and-mouth or the summer floods to drive down farm gate prices, while keeping retail prices unchanged. Turning tragedy into turnover is a disgrace."

Clegg claimed that the recent Competition Commission inquiry into supermarkets did not look at the impact on farmers, saying a new regulator was required.