Adrian Sanders is supporting the Action Aid campaign to introduce a Grocery Market Ombudsman and has signed an Early Day Motion calling for the Government to take action.
Adrian is also supporting fellow South West MP Andrew George, who recently led a debate on the issue. A watchdog is required to ensure that any disputes between suppliers and retailers can be resolved independently. This should aid the protection of independent suppliers who may at the mercy of market variations and price changes, particularly by the larger supermarkets.
The current system lacks guaranteed fair treatment of suppliers in the UK and abroad as payments can be withheld for arbitrary reasons. This especially hits home during the recession when extensive pressure on suppliers could lead to bankruptcy.
Primary producers in developing countries are particularly disadvantaged by the present lack of regulation and this compromises the Government’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and fair trade.
Adrian commented: “I think it a Grocery Market Ombudsman would be a positive step towards achieving fair practice for British suppliers and the international community.
It is often the largest and most profitable supermarkets that fail to ensure that producers are paid an adequate wage.
We have to demonstrate that we are serious about eradicating poverty in developing countries and fair trading is an intrinsic example of this.”
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