Fergusson welcomes progress on independent supermarket ombudsman

The Draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill has been presented to the UK Parliament.

Scottish Conservatives have long called for an 'independent supermarket ombudsman' since the Competition Commission report of 2008.

Alex Fergusson MSP, Scottish Conservative Rural Affairs Spokesperson, said:

"This is a move which the Scottish Conservatives have long called for and was a pledge in the Scottish manifesto for the 2010 UK General Election.

"It is good to see such early progress and I will work with my colleagues in the UK Government on the detail to make sure that the best interests of primary producers are enhanced and protected.

"This Bill is an important first step in ensuring an equitable distribution of available resource across the food chain and a welcome measure of protection for the primary producers within that chain."

Page 91 of the Scottish Conservative manifesto for the UK General Election in 2010 said:

"We will also ensure a fair market for food suppliers – especially farmers – by reducing the burden of regulation. To ensure the grocery supply code of practice is applied fairly, we will introduce an independent supermarket ombudsman."

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