Local AM calls for independent Food Trade Commission

2.14.33pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at current inequalities in the food trade.

The local AM would like to see an independent body set up, to investigate all aspects of the trade, with the aim of ensuring a fairer deal for all those involved.

Ms Williams said: "A fair deal for both the public and farmers is a necessity if we are to continue to see Welsh produce on supermarket shelves, at the local market and exported around the world. That's why I want to see the best qualified experts, working with the industry and public, investigating the food trade and providing the tools for government and industry to ensure a fair deal for all.

"It's time that we got all the facts out in the open and ensure that the next steps Government takes are fully informed and not based on prejudice or ignorance against Welsh farmers or the supermarket industry. An independent food trade commission would examine and report on the supermarket code of practice and the burdens of administration on small-scale producers. It would investigate possible abuses of market power at every step of the supply chain. The experts would then recommend whether the code of practice needs to be strengthened and further regulated, as well as commenting on the future of the dairy industry, the public procurement process for Welsh produce, the supply chain from farm to fork and the price we pay in markets and shops.

"It's essential that consumers can be confident that they are paying a fair price for quality produce that has been sourced locally, and that the producer has received a fair price from the supermarket for their goods."