Supermarket Code Must Be Toughened Up - George

12.00.00am GMT Mon 15th Dec 2003

A report from the New Economics Foundation, published today, reveals that specialist stores, such as butchers and bakers, have been closing at a rate of 50 a week between 1997 and 2002.

In response to the report, and on the day that Morrison's has made a new bid for Safeway's, Andrew George MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary, has called on the Government to review the supermarket Code of Practice.

Mr George said: "Supermarket power is undermining the viability of both village businesses and farms. The voluntary Code of Practice has been an abject failure. The Safeway takeover provides a golden opportunity for the Government to take stock of the situation and review the Code."

"The dairy industry is already in crisis and the overwhelming power of supermarkets is now damaging market gardeners and growers and local stores in rural areas."

"The best Christmas present supermarkets can give farmers is a fair price at the farm gate. But that doesn't look like happening any time soon."

"The Government must now consider whether the Code of Practice should be more than just voluntary."