The NFU has welcomed the reappointment of Christine Tacon to the role of Groceries Code Adjudicator for a further 12 months.
The role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is to enforce compliance of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). This code is designed to protect direct suppliers to the UK’s top 10 retailers from unfair trading practices.
Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility Margot James announced the reappointment at the GCA's annual conference earlier this week.
At the conference, Ms Tacon warned that she intended to pursue regulatory action against three retailers if they did not make satisfactory changes relating to 'drop and drive' behaviours (i.e. a supplier delivers 100 cases, but the retailer only pays for 98 due to no proof of delivery).
The three retailers failing to meet expectations were not named, but the issue has been an ongoing topic for the GCA for several months across all retailers where progress in relation to delays in payments due to drop and drive issues has not been made swiftly enough.
Aldi was the retailer most compliant with the code for the fourth consecutive year, according to the GCA’s 2017 annual survey.
Find out more about the support the NFU offers members in this area:
- ??Discounted training: a one-day course on the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and how it can safeguard your business against unfair trading - invaluable if you supply one or more of the top 10 UK retailers
- Confidential advice and assistance on any potential breaches of the GSCOP - please use our online submission form or email our food chain advisers
NFU food chain adviser Christine McDowell, who attended the conference, said: “We look forward to supporting Ms Tacon in her role over the coming year. Her success since being appointed in 2013 has shown that there is value in enforcing best practice by driving change. The NFU will continue to support the GCA through raising awareness across NFU membership of the role’s aims and responsibilities.”
The NFU is also calling for the GSCOP and the GCA’s role to be extended to cover more retailers, food service businesses, and the ornamental sector. In addition, it is asking for the principles of agri-sector voluntary codes to be made compulsory and for an adjudicator to oversee them.