04 December 2007, 17:42 PM
  • Elin Jones, Welsh rural affairs minister, has called for the appointment of an ombudsman to regulate supermarkets, as well as an update and strengthening of the multiples' Code of Conduct.

In a letter to the Competition Commission responding to its recent publication on the grocery market, the minister said she supports the appointment of an Ombudsman figure to monitor compliance and deal with complaints. “Having a good relationship between retailers and suppliers in the grocery market is important. I feel it would be of benefit to all, if there was an independent body to monitor and regulate the sector.

“I have already met with representatives of the main supermarkets to encourage the promotion of Welsh meat in their stores and I intend to continue working with them. It is clear that people want to buy fresh produce and it is in all our interest that there are measures in place to protect all parties.”

She adds, “There are many success stories in Wales with suppliers working well with supermarkets and my aim is to build on this. An ombudsman would have a vital role to play in highlighting existing good practice and disseminating it.”

Mrs Jones recommended the ombudsman should be able to mediate and resolve disputes and the ombudsman’s office should be paid for by a levy on all the grocery groups covered by the Code of Conduct. In the letter the minister also called for the code to give suppliers the ability to complain anonymously.