Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Groceries Code Adjudicator

05 March 2024 · 0 other contributors

Opened by Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about groceries code adjudicator in the House of Commons. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP for Orkney and Shetland raised concerns about farmers facing rising input costs and low farm gate prices.
  • The MP argued for reform of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to include processors, hospitality, and manufacturers.
  • The Minister acknowledged the GCA's effectiveness but noted its limitations in addressing pricing agreements.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland

The MP for Orkney and Shetland highlighted the challenges faced by farmers due to rising input costs, depressed farm gate prices, and the dominance of large retailers in the market. He emphasised that the Groceries Code Adjudicator's current effectiveness is insufficient and reform is needed. Carmichael argued that the adjudicator should cover processors, hospitality, and manufacturers; improve its resourcing; and address pricing issues. He stressed the importance of fair prices for farmers to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.

Government Response

Kevin Hollinrake

The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers and outlined the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator in enforcing the groceries supply code of practice, which applies to the 14 largest grocery retailers. He highlighted that while the GCA has been effective in ensuring compliance with the code and changing retailer behavior, it does not cover pricing agreements. The Minister detailed the Government's commitment to addressing contractual unfairness through statutory codes introduced under the Agriculture Act 2020 for specific agricultural sectors such as dairy, pig, and egg sectors. He also mentioned the recruitment process for an agricultural supply chain adjudicator responsible for enforcing new regulations.

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