News
Call for supermarket ombudsman
20/02/2009 10:46:00
ORKNEY and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael this week gave his backing to the National Farmers Union's call for a supermarket ombudsman to be established in 2009.
Last year the Competition Commission completed an inquiry into the
grocery sector. As part of its recommendations, it called for an
independent ombudsman to oversee and enforce the code of conduct
between supplier and retailer.
Mr Carmichael believes that the relationship between the supplier and
the retailer has been skewed in favour of the retailer for far too long.
Commenting Mr Carmichael said: "It is more than eight months since the
Competition Commission recommended an independent ombudsman to monitor
the relationship between retailers and suppliers, yet it seems the
Government have made very little progress in making sure this ombudsman
is established.
"I had many concerned constituents write to me on this issue last year
and I wrote to the Government urging them to take action. Many big
retailers have long held too much power over smaller suppliers, who
have been left in positions of feeling unable to make complaints,
because they would then risk having their contract withdrawn.
"It is time that the Government takes a leading role in ensuring that
this position is created without delay. Only then can we be sure that
our suppliers will receive a better deal at the hands of the retailers."