Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) 2025-03-19

19 March 2025 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Alistair Carmichael LD Orkney and Shetland

Business & TradeAgriculture & 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 food products (market regulation and public procurement) 2025-03-19 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Calls for intervention in the UK's food supply chain market to address the power imbalance between supermarkets and farmers.
  • Historical government support for farmers has stagnated, leading to low profitability among farmers due to market distortion.
  • The Groceries Code Adjudicator is inadequate, with a lack of fines issued and reluctance by suppliers to make complaints.

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 LD Orkney and Shetland

Calls for intervention in the UK's food supply chain market to address the power imbalance between supermarkets and farmers. He cites historical support from government for farmers which has since stagnated, leading to low profitability among farmers due to market distortion. The Groceries Code Adjudicator is inadequate, with a lack of fines issued and reluctance by suppliers to make complaints. Carmichael presents statistics on profit margins and supply chain issues, including examples of businesses being negatively impacted by supermarkets' practices.

Other contributors (1)
  • Alistair Carmichael LD Orkney and Shetland

    Supports the Bill to regulate the Groceries Code Adjudicator and public procurement for British food products. Highlights that real incomes of farmers have stagnated over 50 years, with recent funding withdrawals leaving many businesses worried about viability. The power imbalance between retailers and farmers is pronounced, leading to unfair practices. Cites examples where supermarkets' actions negatively affected suppliers, including a case where £400k investment was rendered unnecessary due to de-listing without notice.

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