Activists staged a demonstration last Wednesday highlighting the need for the government to ensure that its new supermarket watchdog, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, has the power to fine supermarkets for unfair buying practices that negatively impact the working conditions of UK farmers.
Campaigners including charities ActionAid, Friends of the Earth, and Traidcraft staged the demonstration at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The protestors fear that if legislation doesn't allow the Groceries Code Adjudicator the power to fine supermarkets from day one it will fail to stop supermarkets from shifting their risks and unexpected costs onto suppliers.
“It is vital the government gives the supermarket watchdog the power to fine, as a watchdog that is all bark and no bite won’t be able to stop supermarkets from bullying their suppliers,' said Murray Worthy, supermarkets campaigner at War on Want.
Campaigners claimed that the likes of Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - which combined control over 75 per cent of the UK grocery market - have too much power in dictating terms and conditions to their suppliers, which results in either lower wages and poorer conditions for workers or reduced environmental standards.
Paul Spray, Traidcraft’s policy director, concluded: “If a supermarket ignores the Groceries Code it has signed up to, it needs more than a slap on the wrist.
'Giving the watchdog the power to fine sends a strong signal that it means business and developing country suppliers can have confidence that supermarkets will be held to account for their abusive practices”.
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