Supermarkets in Denial -Allister
20 September 2007
Jim Allister MEP has condemned the British Retail Consortium for its recent comments that an end to cheap food is “alarmist” and “unsupported by the evidence”.
Mr Allister said,
“The Supermarket representative organisation, the BRC are in denial if they think locally produced food will always be available to call upon, should they continue to exploit their producer suppliers with the totally unsustainable prices they are receiving at present.”
“The large multiples have done nothing tangible to support local producers at a time of rocketing feed costs, adding to the immense pressure on the industry. Instead, farmers are having to bear the brunt of loss-leading promotions organised by local supermarkets, such is the absence of commitment to the local intensive sectors.”
“Pig producers require an extra 30 pence per kilo for pigmeat just to meet the increase in feed costs they have incurred. To say that no evidence exists to support the notion that food costs will rise, is dishonest, and a major blow for producers who desperately need the supply chain to deliver in their favour at this time. “
“In my submission to the European Commission on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, I expressed an urgent need to tackle the fundamental imbalances within the Supply Chain.
In the absence of Supermarkets acknowledging that food prices will rise on the shelves, perhaps they are considering performing an act of benevolence by re-apportioning some of the record profits they have appropriated over the years to their producer suppliers –I would be extremely sceptical.”
“Confirmation of collusion by supermarkets on milk prices, as revealed this week by the Office of Fair Trading, is, I believe only the tip of the iceberg. I will continue to press the Commission to consider these matters fully within the confines of the forthcoming CAP Health Check.”
ENDS
