Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Smaller Farmers: Supermarket Prices

Thursday 10 September 2020 · 1 question

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Loder asked the Minister about steps to ensure small farmers get fair prices from supermarkets.
  • The Minister offered to meet Chris Loder to discuss the issue further.
  • The groceries code adjudicator is in place to regulate contracts and prevent certain practices.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Loder Con West Dorset
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns raised about Sainsbury's threatening to terminate contracts with small dairy farmers in West Dorset if they refuse to sell calves.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to ensure that small farmers obtain a fair price from supermarkets for their produce? The supermarket Sainsbury's is threatening to tear up contracts of small dairy farmers supplying milk, demanding a percentage of their calves. Does George Eustice agree this is an abuse of dominant position and will he support defending small farmers?

Answer from George Eustice

I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this issue further. The groceries code adjudicator is already in place to regulate contracts and prevent certain practices, but through the Agriculture Bill we can introduce statutory codes of contractual practice which will stipulate further requirements in contracts.

Answered
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