Contact/Cyswllt: Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates has today pressured the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government to support the introduction of an independent Ombudsman to ensure a fairer deal for farmers in Wales.

The recent report by the Competition Commission highlighted the need for a ‘supermarket ombudsman’ to ensure fair play between farmers and supermarkets and to assist the Office of Fair Trading in monitoring and enforcing the Supermarket Code of Practice.

Commenting on the proposals in the report Mick Bates AM states:

“Three diseases have had a devastating impact on Welsh farmers but at the end of the day it is the price that they receive for their produce that is important. Farmers need a fair return for their labours – supermarkets are powerful, profitable and have been exposed for profiteering on their produce at the expense of the agricultural industry but now it is time for this to change.

“Our supermarkets are keen to show their support for local producers but are not so keen when it comes to paying a fair price to suppliers. It is true that the relationship between supermarkets and suppliers could harm consumers, but there may not be any suppliers left if prices continue to be so low.

“The call to improve prices was supported by the Church of England in their report ‘Fair Trade Begins at Home’. This was in response to concerns raised by the ‘Church’s Parliament’ around problems that may be faced by the farming industry following the squeeze on farm-gate prices.

“This wide recognition of the need to ensure a fair return for farmers highlights the importance of this issue if we are to secure our food supplies for the future.

“Welsh and British agriculture desperately need this independent Ombudsman to scrutinise the supermarkets and introduce fair trading. I want to see supermarkets change for the better and ensure fair trading for Welsh farmers. We have seen a successful campaign for international fair trade – let us now be concerned with fair trade for our local food producers in Wales.”

End / Diwedd