New Supermarket Code
For the NFU the start of the strengthened code, policed by an independent ombudsman, can't come quick enough.
"Recent reports to me about retailer behaviour in the supplychain have demonstrated nothing but bully-boy tactics," said NFU President Peter Kendall.
"This week should have been marked by a sea change in grocery supply chain relationships with our farmer and grower members but instead in the past ten days I have heard how suppliers to major retailers have faced some of the most unreasonable demands for retrospective payments and changes to trading terms that we've ever seen.
"Retailers are effectively launching pre-emptive strikes on suppliers before the new Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice - and the protection it affords - comes into force. Squeezing the very life blood out of British producers will only reduce supply and, in the long-term, affect consumer choice.”
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
