Farming and Food

Regulated Supply

Following years of competition between the major supermarkets, farmers and other suppliers have been squeezed to the limit. Some of the practices emplyed by the supermarkets to recuce their own costs and increase their own profits have been crippling to their suppliers.

The NFU and ActionAid have come together to encourage supermarkets to agree to an 'Ombudsman' to regulate practices of supply and demand. The major supermarkets are resisting this development fearing for their bottom line.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: "Both the Competition Commission and Professor Roger Clarke's independent research showed an ombudsman would be in the best interests of consumers. A strengthened code of practice proactively policed by an ombudsman will give suppliers great confidence to invest and innovate and lead to a better range of quality products for consumers. There is no reason why retailers should not sign up to its creation."

ActionAid campaigner Jenny Ricks said: "The abuse of market power by retailers affects producers throughout the world, but consumers will be the ultimate losers as the choice of products available to them is reduced. If retailers do not sign up to the ombudsman then Government must step in and deliver it through legislation."

Should the farming industry be strongly regulated, or are the supermarkets simply responding to demands from the consumers for ever cheaper produce? Can faith seek to enforce the simple principles of fairness and justice as the arguments over money rage? As faith consumers, what role to we play in influencing this issue? How can we begin to change a culture dependent on profit?