Does Groceries Code Adjudicator need new teeth?

In this exclusive video for FoodManufacture.co.uk, Labour, Conservative and UKIP politicians shared their views on the current role of the GCA – Christine Tacon – and whether her powers should be revised.

Shadow food and farming minister Huw Irranca-Davies told this website there needed to be a discussion over whether or not she should have a wider range of sanctions, not necessarily bigger penalties.

“We do see from time-to-time penalties that shock the consumer as well as policy makers like myself,”​ he said.

‘Wider remit’​

“I do think we need to get back to that debate of if it’s not the Competition Authority ​[that should resolve an issue] then does the Groceries Code Adjudicator need more teeth – A wider remit? We’ve said it today and we’ve said it before: that needs to be revisited.”​

Irranca-Davies also claimed – in this video – that The Competition Authority was often reluctant to deal with issues.

Watch this video to hear why environment secretary Liz Truss said trade organisations should play a bigger role in bringing cases for investigation to the GCA.

Meanwhile, UKIP’s agriculture spokesman, Stuart Agnew, claimed that in order to increase credibility the GCA needed to secure a prosecution. Read more about the debate on the need for fresh powers for the GCA here​.

Don’t miss our video interviews with Irranca-Davies​ on the Labour’s food policy and Agnew​ on migrant labour.