We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Supermarkets 'bullying farmers ahead of new code' - Kendall
NFU president Peter Kendall has accused supermarkets of ‘bully boy tactics’ in the days leading up to the introduction of the new Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice (GSCOP).
Mr Kendall said retailers were taking ‘pre-emptive strikes’ before the Code, which will give suppliers increased protection, comes into force on Thursday (February 4).
He said in recent days NFU members had been reporting some of the ‘most unreasonable demands’ from supermarkets union officials had ever seen.
“Recent reports to me about retailer behaviour in the supply chain have demonstrated nothing but bully-boy tactics,” Mr Kendall said.
“This week should have been marked by a sea change in grocery supply chain relationships with our farmer and grower members but instead in the past ten days I have heard how suppliers to major retailers have faced some of the most unreasonable demands for retrospective payments and changes to trading terms that we’ve ever seen.
“Retailers are effectively launching pre-emptive strikes on suppliers before the new Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice – and the protection it affords - comes into force. Squeezing the very life blood out of British producers will only reduce supply and, in the long-term, affect consumer choice.
“This sort of short-termism is hugely damaging. These practices need to stop today - not after the Code’s implementation.”
The GSCOP, set to start on Thursday February 4, will provide retailers with clear guidelines for dealing with suppliers and contains an over-riding principle of fair dealing.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) made no effort to deny the claims.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: “The effort and money retailers are putting into demonstrating they meet the GCOP’s requirements and informing suppliers, shows they accept their responsibilities as major players in the supply chain.
“Retailers want successful, sustainable long-term relationships with suppliers. How else would they get the quantity and quality of goods their customers want?”
