FoodandDrinkEurope 21-May-2010

The UK's new coalition government said it intends to increase regulatory oversight of the nation's grocery sector, under policy plans unveiled in a 34-page programme document released yesterday.

The Liberal-Conservative coalition government said it would cut regulation for small businesses and farmers, but increase regulatory oversight of the grocery sector, and appoint an ombudsman to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

The Code was introduced in February, providing retailers with guidelines of how to deal with suppliers in an effort to ensure fairness. Its introduction follows investigations by the UK Competition Commission, which also recommended that an ombudsman should arbitrate on disputes between grocery retailers and suppliers and investigate complaints under the new code.

Full story at http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/Retail/UK-government-pledges-greater-regulation-of-grocery-sector/?c=oLHVuWhH%2FKl186QbY67tLA%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BWeekly [1]