MP URGES ACTION ON RISING FOOD PRICES
Published 2 Feb 2012 09:30
IRVINE MP Brian Donohoe has slammed the Government for failing to take action against rising food prices.
The Central Ayrshire MP has urged the Government to take immediate action to give farmers and consumers a better deal, after it emerged that food prices have risen by more than 4% over the last year.
He has also expressed his "dismay" at Government delays to the Groceries Code Adjudicator, and has called on the Government to implement it early in the next Parliament to ensure fairness across the food supply chain.
Mr Donohoe commented: "The Adjudicator should have the power to penalise retailers for unfair practices and third party organisations should be able to report retailers who do not display price promotions in a transparent manner.
"21% of children are on the poverty line in Central Ayrshire. We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families now relying on food banks, and poorer families are spending an average of 15.5% of their income on food. This is nothing short of a national scandal.
"We also want supermarkets to reduce their food waste, and make sure more unused food goes to help feed people rather than be discarded. Food charity FareShare currently redistributes 1% of food to help feed people.
"We've had over 18 months of dithering from DEFRA on this issue The Government should stop dragging their feet and face up to what is becoming a disgraceful record on food poverty".
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