“Time for a fair deal for farmers” – Carmichael to introduce Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today announced plans to introduce the Food Supply Chain Fairness Bill in Parliament on Wednesday 19th March. The Bill is intended to introduce a range of provisions to get fairer prices for farmers and food producers across the UK, including strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator in terms of remit and resources, supporting greater public procurement of locally produced food, and enhanced origin labelling requirements.

Mr Carmichael will introduce the Bill to the House of Commons with a ten minute speech on Wednesday 19th March, following Prime Minister’s Question Time.

The Bill has been developed in discussion with farming and rural organisations including the National Farmers’ Union, the Country Land and Business Association, the Tenant Farmers’ Association, the Countryside Alliance and Scottish Land and Estates.

The Bill also fulfils Mr Carmichael’s commitment, made during the General Election last year, to reintroduce legislation to boost the powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, which is currently holding an inquiry on “fairness in the food supply chain”.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to introduce this Bill and to have dedicated time in the House to make the case for it. It was a major plank of my election campaign last year to reintroduce legislation which would beef up the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator and other regulatory bodies, in support of fairness for farmers and food producers – so I am glad to be able to deliver on that promise with this Bill.

“This is about supporting local farmers but it is also ultimately about supporting UK consumers too. The supermarkets have taken advantage of their market dominance for too long, and that is not working for anyone but them. If we want strong and vibrant rural communities in this country then we need a fair deal and fair prices for farmers and food producers.

“I know from discussions that this is a matter of significant interest for the farming unions and other rural organisations, and I have been glad to have their advice and support in developing this Bill. The Groceries Code Adjudicator was an important step forward when my party created it in government, but it has not achieved everything that we wanted it to in terms of protecting food producers and consumers.

“This is an opportunity for a fairer deal where it really matters to our communities – I hope that the government will engage with this Bill constructively to deliver on these goals.”