The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has today (Tuesday) announced it will set up a new Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) [1] to monitor and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice between supermarkets and their suppliers.



Graeme Willis, Senior Rural Policy Campaigner for CPRE, said: “We have called for a supermarket watchdog for a long time and welcome this step forward.  We will need to see whether the new adjudicator is effective in establishing fairer practices throughout the supply chain.  But it is essential for farmers, retailers and consumers that food supply in this country is fair for all parties.”
Graeme Willis added: “Fairer pricing will help secure the future viability of farms and continuing management of the countryside.  It should help smaller retailers, independents and specialist shops and food businesses to compete and survive against the large supermarket chains.  This should help ensure choice and local convenience for shoppers as well as protecting the character and vitality of high streets and local shopping parades, and help to foster a more diverse,  distinctive and resilient local food culture.”