NFU has hopes for adjudicator

THE political promise to introduce fairness in the food chain will not see the planned ombudsman but an "adjudicator" who will be expected to operate between producers and the powerful supermarkets.

NFU President Peter Kendall said of the plans, announced this week, that he would have liked to see the adjudicator in place earlier than 2012 but recognised the pressures on the parliamentary timetable.

"Once in place, I do believe we will see fewer instances of flagrant bully-boy tactics used by the supermarkets over the years and reported to us by our members."