Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if the Groceries Code Adjudicator will make it his policy to prioritise work relating to the (a) beef and (b) grain industry.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator is an independent regulator established under the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013 to oversee and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

The Adjudicator has a statutory duty to arbitrate disputes under the Code referred to it by direct suppliers; and has the power to conduct an investigation where it has reasonable grounds to suspect that the Code has been breached.

In each case, such decisions relating to the exercise of the Adjudicator’s statutory powers are matters for the Adjudicator. The Adjudicator has published its prioritisation principles in guidance on its investigation and enforcement functions. The guidance may be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/325842/GCA_Statutory_Guidance_post_consultation_final_June_14.pdf