Hume backs Campaign for Supermarket Ombudsman

1.54.05pm GMT Tue 24th Nov 2009

Jim Hume MSP with Cllr Jacquie Bell and Amy Rodger at Haddington Farmer's Market

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has written to Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, urging him to instigate measures which will see the creation of an Ombudsman to oversee the workings of the food supply chain.

In his letter to the Business Secretary, the MSP has urged Lord Mandelson to cleanse the present system of its "entrenched inequity" by creating an Ombudsman.

Mr Hume said: "I have written to Lord Mandelson because there is no good reason why an Ombudsman should not be set up now.

"The Competition Commission and the EU Commission are very clear in their views that an Ombudsman would significantly increase fairness in the food supply chain, taking the inequity out of it for producers.

"There have been voluntary agreements in the past which have been aimed at creating a fair pricing system, but sadly it has not worked. The industry therefore needs an independent Ombudsman to oversee retailer-producer relationships.

"But it is not just industry who want to see this. Consumers want to know that producers are getting a fair share of the market and they are often tired of what many have described to me as "bully boy tactics" demonstrated by large retailers in negotiating contracts. This can only be damaging for Scotland's economy, a significant part of which is reliant upon agricultural activity. That is certainly true of the region which I represent.

"I have asked Lord Mandelson that, in his reply, he will be able to give a clear timetable for when an Ombudsman will be set up to ensure a fair deal for producers."