WIREDGOV

Commenting following an announcement south of the border that a new body is to be established to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"Our producers play a crucial role in putting food on our table and deserve a fair deal for their efforts. The Scottish Government and other players have pressured the UK Government to introduce a Supermarket Ombudsman and I'm pleased that it has finally made this long-awaited and overdue decision to enforce the new Groceries Supply Code of Practice is necessary.

"The precise role of the new enforcement body is still to be fleshed out. I urge the UK Government to move quickly and ensure that an independent Supermarket Ombudsman is established, with effective and proactive enforcement powers and the ability to guarantee anonymity to suppliers. This is essential for the long-term security of all those involved in the food supply chain.

"We will, of course, continue to pursue positive and productive relationships with all parts of the food chain, including the supermarkets through our Retailers' Forum and Retailers' Charter."