NSW Farmers says a mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct will be a step towards fairness for farmers and families, but more work needs to be done.
The final report of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Independent Review by Dr Craig Emerson was published yesterday, with all 11 recommendations being agreed to by the Federal Government.
But while making the code mandatory, significantly increasing penalties for breaches, and providing better support for farmers in disputes with the supermarkets were positive steps, NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee chair Jo Brighenti-Barnard says there was still a long way to go in solving Australia’s supermarket problem.
Ms Brighenti-Barnard called for an economy-wide prohibition on unfair trading practices, proper protection against retribution for farmers who speak out, and an overhaul of the current merger and acquisition approval process adding they’re hopeful this is the best step towards the meaningful competition reform they’ve been crying out for.
