Nicholson calls for creation of a Framework to promote a fairer relationship between Farmers and Supermarkets
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has today called for the creation of a framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.
Mr Nicholson was speaking after it was revealed that Sainsbury’s, ASDA and a number of diary processors have been fined a total of £116 million by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after being found guilty of fixing the prices of milk, butter and cheese.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“For a long time there has been an undeniable need for the producer to receive a fairer reward for his produce and I believe that a way of doing this is to create a regulatory framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.
“I see something inherently wrong with a market that repeatedly shows falling returns to farmers but consistently shows rising returns to processors and retailers. I am glad to see these types of practices are now being highlighted. Price fixing benefits no – one except the giant supermarket chains. Both the consumer and the farmer lose out.”