In a move backed by politicians and the National Farmers Union alike, the European Parliament has voted to adopt the McGuinness report on unfair trading practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain.
During votes in the Parliament's Agriculture Committee that met earlier, SNP MEP Alyn Smith, who acted as Shadow Raporteur for the report, successfully passed amendments to call for action instead of more analysis, and for framework legislation to protect all food suppliers, including in third countries.
Other key amendments passed include that the Commission consider establishing a European regulator to coordinate actions of national regulators, and that better labelling schemes be used to provide information to consumers.
Mr Smith said: "The report confirms what we already know - that voluntary initiatives have proven inadequate in stamping out late payments, listing fees, and retroactive changes to contracts.
"Instead, the Commission should now draw up an open list of UTPs to be banned at European Union level, implement procedures to allow confidential complaints, and give enforcement bodies the power to impose appropriate sanctions.
"Farmers have been in a precarious position for too long. Not only is the Supply Chain Initiative woefully inadequate, and the Groceries Code Adjudicator a toothless tiger, but also the unfair power dynamic between suppliers and retailers is weighted heavily in favour of the latter."
Mr Smith went on: "I'm all for supermarkets cutting prices, but their suppliers shouldn't be the ones who take the hit. Retrospective deductions, the threat of de-listing, demanding standards' compliance but at the suppliers' expense - these are all the ways that UTPs are strangling farmers.
"[this] opinion will be passed to the Internal Committee for their consideration, so has some way to run, but this is an excellent start. I'm confident that this is the first step towards seeing a timely proposal for framework legislation at EU level."
Market round-up
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4083 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £85.50 per head and 233p per kg to average 157.2p (+12.3p on the week).
The firm also had 4002 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £142 for Texels and averaged £71.59 (+£2.50), while light ewes peaked at £74 for Lleyns and levelled at £44.74 (-23p). Rams sold to £120 for a Texel and averaged £72.67.
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