'Scrap the code' (From Gazette & Herald)

'Scrap the code'

THE current voluntary supermarket code of practice is not working and should be scrapped in favour of a statutory code backed by an industry regulator.

That's the view of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) which says it is working with Liberal Democrat shadow rural affairs secretary Andrew George MP to gather evidence to back up the claim.

The code was drawn up by the Office of Fair Trading and came into effect in 2002 to curb the abuse of supermarket powers in their dealings with suppliers. The code was accepted by the secretary of state for trade and industry and committed the four major supermarkets (Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Safeway) to abide by it.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said: "It is clear to us, and other bodies, that the code is not working. Farmers and food suppliers are still suffering from unfair trading conditions. However, we find that suppliers are reluctant to come forward as they fear losing contracts with the supermarkets since the complaints procedure is not confidential. The supermarkets are using this understandable reluctance to say that the lack of hard evidence shows there is no problem."

The TFA is calling for farmers and food suppliers to supply examples of supermarket abuse of trading conditions; submissions will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The association has a survey form for anyone wishing to give evidence. To obtain a copy: fax (0118) 9303424; e-mail: George@tenant-farmers.org.uk; or by mail freepost: "Supermarket Survey", Tenant Farmers Association, FREEPOST (RG2297), Reading RG7 5BR

Updated: 12:21 Wednesday, April 14, 2004