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Discussing the Groceries Code over breakfast are Groceries Adjudicator Ms Christine Tacon, FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]
Following the publication of the report into the compliance of Tesco with the Groceries Code of Practice earlier this year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales once again met with the Groceries Adjudicator to discuss its remit and to identify how best to use the Code for the benefit of suppliers.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator was formally established in 2013 to ensure supermarkets treat their suppliers lawfully and fairly.
At present, only retailers with a groceries turnover of greater than £1 billion are included in the remit of the Adjudicator.
The FUW has repeatedly called for this threshold to be lowered so that other retailers can also be held accountable for unfair practises.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We are grateful that Ms Tacon took time to speak with us over an informal breakfast. We hope that the recommendations put forward for Tesco will demonstrate to the other large retailers what constitutes unfair practice and that the others will read the final report and apply best practise to their own situation.
“Ms Tacon made clear to us that the Groceries Adjudicator cannot work to directly influence the price paid to a direct supplier. However, by working to change culture and improve transparency and efficiency, it is hoped that this work will be of benefit to the whole supply chain.”
Ms Tacon told the FUW that she was unable to launch any investigation into a retailer without receiving information from suppliers about possible breaches. She added that protecting the confidentiality of direct suppliers was of paramount importance and that the strength of the Adjudicator was directly proportional to the number of representations made by suppliers.
Alongside a supplier survey, which will be available on the Groceries Adjudicator’s website (www.gov.uk/gca) from March 14, a consultation will also be launched shortly into practises related to indirect payments for better positioning. The Union would encourage responses to both requests for information from relevant suppliers.