Consumer minister
Kevin Brennan today announced the next step in the Government’s
plan to put in place a body to enforce compliance with the
Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP).
Launching a consultation on the powers and operation of the body,
Kevin Brennan said:
“Today we’re pushing ahead with our plans for a new body to
ensure free and fair competition and that the grocery supply
market continues to work in the long-term best interest of consumers.
“It’s important to hear people’s views on exactly how the body
should operate, its nature and exact role. This consultation will
enable us to take informed and responsible decision on the make up
of the new body that will balance the needs of suppliers, the
supermarkets and consumers.”
Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:
“The new body will need to strike a balance between ensuring
consumers can get access to high quality food and that farmers and
food producers get a fair deal.
“The consultation will give farmers, food producers, consumers
and retailers the chance to say how this balance should work.”
The launch of the consultation comes the day after the new Code
of Practice came into force, meaning that the body can be
established as soon as possible.
Notes to Editors
1. The Competition Commission (CC) found that that large grocery
retailers were passing on excessive risks and unexpected costs to
their suppliers. The CC failed to obtain voluntary undertakings
from retailers to set up a GSCOP monitoring body. On 4 August 2009
the CC recommended that BIS take steps to set up, as soon as
practicable, a monitoring body that can levy penalties on large
grocery retailers for GSCOP non compliance.
2. On 13 January the Government announced that it intended to
go-ahead with the Competition Commission’s recommendation to set
up a body to monitor and ensure compliance with the Groceries
Supply Code of Practice.
3. The consultation will run for 12 weeks and the consultation
document is available at www.berr.gov.uk/files/file54425.pdf
Please contact the Department for Business press office on 0207
215 3496 for more information.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk