Farmers in Shropshire today backed a government bill to protect them from “harmful” buying practices by supermarket giants.

It is hoped the introduction of a retail watchdog will help keep prices fairer for producers of milk, beef and other groceries, and benefit consumers in the long term.

Adrian Joynt, of Apley Estate, who produce beef and crops, said: “I would welcome it for the industry, and in the long term it will benefit consumers.

“There’s no question about it, if we get fairer prices we can afford to invest in our efficiency to keep prices lower in the future.”

If passed, the Government bill, known as the Grocery Code Adjudicator, would introduce an ombudsman who would monitor how retailers deal with farmers in a bid to ensure they are getting paid a fair price.

David Collier, regional director for NFU West Midlands based in Telford, said: “The NFU has worked tirelessly for more than a decade, in public and behind the scenes, to put in place both an effective code of practice for retailers, and a proper body to police it.

“There has been cross-party consensus that an adjudicator is necessary for the effective monitoring and enforcement of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

“Parliament must now scrutinise the text in good time so that the formal bill itself can be brought forward soon.

“We will examine the details closely to ensure the adjudicator can do its job — by having the teeth to enforce the code, protecting the anonymity of those wishing to complain and providing an appropriate and effective deterrent with proper penalties.”

It is hoped the adjudicator will be able to investigate abusive practices and tackle disputes and complaints.

The NFU says it is now time for the whole grocery supply chain — producers, manufacturers and retailers — to put any past differences to one side and work together to ensure the adjudicator will be fit for purpose as the guardian of the code.

Mr Collier added: “We want to see better functioning supply chains which reward all players more fairly, encourage innovation, and ultimately benefit consumers.”

By Paul Mannion