Large supermarkets who deal unfairly with their suppliers could be fined by the new groceries code Adjudicator, as it is being given greater powers to enforce the groceries code, Competition Minister Jo Swinson announced yesterday.

Welcoming the move, NFU Scotland vice- president Allan Bowie said: "While 'naming and shaming' is undoubtedly a useful tool, twinning this with the ability to fine retailers from the outset makes the adjudicator a much more powerful force."

Market round-up

Lawrie & Symington held its Christmas show and sale of prime cattle in Lanark on Monday when there were 60 forward.

The championship was awarded to a 505kg Limousin heifer from David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees, Canonbie, that went on to sell for 370p per kg.

The reserve championship went to a 505kg Limousin bullock from D Baillie, Calla, Carnwath, that fetched 260p. The 28 show cattle forward averaged 253.8p

In the rough ring, 50 beef cows sold to £1605 for the 1st prize cow, an 880kg BB from A&CS Comrie, Stonebyres Farm, Lanark, and an average of 123p, while 35 dairy cows peaked at £1075 for the second prize dairy cow, an 815kg Holstein Friesian from R Baillie, Longlea Farm, Netherburn, and levelled at 106p.

Eighteen OTM cattle averaged 148p.

There were also 2272 prime lambs forward that sold to £95.20 per head and 211.6p per kg to average 161.7p (+5p).

The 333 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £118.50 for Texels and £48.50 for Blackfaces, with the overall average levelling at £55.86 (+£8.23).

The firm also sold seven dairy cattle at its fortnightly sale to a top of £2350 for the champion, a Holstein Friesian heifer from R Warnock, Hill Farm, Strathaven, and an average of £1731 (+£210 on the previous sale).

Craig Wilson had only six prime cattle entered for its annual Christmas show and sale at Ayr yesterday, but the lack of numbers was more than made up for by the quality of the cattle.

The championship was awarded to a Limousin bullock from Messrs JM Nisbet, Sorn Mains, that went on to sell for 300p per kg or £1710.

The reserve was a Charolais bullock from Girvan Mains that fetched 290p, or £1566.

In the commercial cattle section 28 prime heifers sold to 249p and averaged 219.9p or £1222.01, while eight prime bullocks peaked at 252p and levelled at 208.4p or £1291.95.

Five young bulls sold to 211p (twice) and averaged 196.8p or £1324.93.

Wallets Marts sold 1876 prime lambs in Castle Douglas yesterday to a top of £80 per head and 176.3p per kg to average 156.1p.

A large show of 598 cast sheep was topped by a Suffolk ram at £99, while ewes sold to £65 for Mules and £56.50 for Blackfaces, with the overall average levelling at £49.41.