NFU Cymru welcome Church of England support for supermarket ombudsman

A report out today by the Church of England which proposes that an independent ombudsman will stop the supermarkets squeezing farmers has been welcomed by NFU Cymru.

The Church of England report which says, "The pursuit of cheap food coupled with the buying power of the big supermarkets is putting farming livelihoods at risk," comes after the Competition Commission concluded last week that action is necessary to address the treatment of suppliers by supermarkets.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President said, "We fully support the Church of England, which is both a significant landlord to tenant farmers in the UK and a major buyer of British produce. NFU Cymru has been campaigning for many years for a supermarket ombudsman as the Union feels there is a need for someone to police the relationship between the big retailers and suppliers."

Mr Davies continued, "It is in everyone's interests that the food supply chain is vibrant, dynamic, transparent and profitable, so that farmers and growers are able to supply the quality and choice that consumers expect and deserve.

"Everyone involved in food supplies hopes that, with the publication of the Competition Commission's provisional findings and the Church of England's views, the supermarkets will review their relationships with suppliers and the whole industry can start to move forward in a positive way. Farmers are committed to strong working relationships with retailers and if the problems are addressed it will benefit everyone – the supplier, the retailer and the consumer.

"The modern food chain is a complex structure, but if it is to survive then each of its constituent parts, but particularly the primary producer, must receive a viable return for their produce. If not that chain collapses!"