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A new UK-wide Bill establishing the supermarket watchdog wasannounced in the Queen s Speech in the House of Lords on Wednesday(May 9) morning. The Department for Businss, Innovation and Skills said the Billestablishing the GCA, which wull oversee the Groceries Supply ChainCode of Parctice (GSCOP), which came into force in 2010, isexpected to receive an early introduction . The Department said on its website: It will address the marketdominance of the large retailers and ensure suppliers are treatedfairly and lawfully. The GCA would address these competition issuesby arbitrating disputes between retailers and suppliers,investigating anonymous complaints, and taking sanctions againstretailers who break the rules. MPs who have campaigned for new rules to curb supermarket powerwelcomed the Bill but urged the Government to ensure theAdjudicator has sufficient powers to clamp down on the bully boybehaviour of supermarket buyers . Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for West Cornwall, whochairs the Grocery Market Action Group (GMAG), said theannouncement was good news for farmers, growers, and consumers . After a decade of campaigning with GMAG and others I welcometoday s announcement. Though it is not before time. The code is fine. But it s like having a game of rugby with arule book, but no referee! So the code needs an Adjudicator. The Government should now press on with its plans and create thewatchdog to ensure fair trade runs through the supply chain fromthe farm to the shopping trolley. His Lib Dem colleague Tim Farron said: This is a terrific win forfarmers across the country and will help to support many farmingbusinesses through this difficult economic period, and start layingthe groundwork for us to begin to put together a strategy forfeeding Britain in the future. But the british Retail Consortium food director, Andrew Opie, saidthe watchdog was in danger of adding to the cost and bureaucracyof running a grocery business without adding to the strongprotection which already exists for suppliers. The Government s initial estimate put running costs at just 1million a year, a figure the BIS select committee said wasunrealistic. The truth is no-one knows what the cost might be.Retailers are being asked to write a blank cheque, he said. It s in retailers own interests to have excellentrelationships with their suppliers. They depend on a successful andresilient supply chain to keep their shelves stocked with theproduce consumers want to buy. The UK already has the mostregulated supply chain in the world, giving legal protection forsuppliers to the biggest retailers through the Groceries SupplyCode of Practice, which includes the right to independentarbitration. He called on the Government not to allow third party complaints,which he claimed would open retailers up to malicious campaignsand fishing expeditions from those without full knowledge of theagreements involved, at a great cost to all parts of the grocerysupply chain . The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as SD Card Laser Light Manufacturer , China Led Par Can Lights, and more. For more , please visit Moving Heads Lighting today!
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