At the GCA annual conference, Christine Tacon confirmed that she will continue as adjudicator for another year, while the GCA’s remit is still being considered by the Government.
Addressing the conference, Ms Tacon said that over the four years of its existence, the organisation had achieved major progress on the issues where it has power to intervene. Headline stats showed a continuing fall in the proportion of suppliers to the major retailers saying they had experienced a Code-related problem in the past year. The proportion now stands at 56%, down from 79% in 2014.
However, Ms Tacon reported that more significant impacts had occurred where she had been able to intervene, either collaboratively or with her regulatory powers, on her list of 'Top Five' concerns. For example on the issue of intrusive and costly 'forensic auditing', 45% of suppliers reported experiencing this as an issue in 2014 but only 12% in 2017. In 2014 the Adjudicator secured a voluntary commitment from eight out of the ten regulated retailers to limit forensic audit activity.
Read more about the GCA conference here. Sustain has supported the campaign for the GCA's remit to be continues and expanded. Read more about our activities and support us here.
Published Friday 30 June 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
