NEW SUPERMARKET WATCHDOG CALL

29-04-2008

Friends of the Earth are calling for the creation of a new supermarket watchdog in advance of the Competition Commission's two-year investigation, due to be published tomorrow.

Leaked reports suggest that the voluntary Supermarket Code of Practice – governing relationships between the stores and their suppliers - is expected to be strengthened.

There’s also likely to be a new post of Grocery Market Ombudsman but campaigners argue that unless the watchdog has mandatory, proactive powers, nothing will change.

Chris Crean, FoE’s West Midlands spokesman said: “We need a watchdog with teeth - the ‘big four’ supermarkets have consistently been found guilty of treating their suppliers unfairly so it’s time for the Competition Commission to act on their own evidence.

"Reports indicate that the Competition Commission is about to step in with some long-overdue support for our farmers, but it's shameful that their plans will do nothing to help the small shops on our dying high streets.

"The Commission's failure to understand the importance of independent shops makes it even more important that the Government now brings in strong planning policies for diverse and sustainable town centres."

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