Written question asked by Richard Bacon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with multiple retailers regarding their commercial treatment of primary producers; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with multiple retailers regarding their commercial treatment of primary producers; and if she will make a statement. [223235] Alun Michael: No meetings have been held with multiple retailers specifically to discuss their treatment of primary producers, though the subject will have arisen in the course of the Department's ongoing contacts with multiple retailers and other representatives of the food retail industry. The Department considers that it is in the long term interests of all buyers within the food chain to deal with their suppliers in a fair and straightforward way.

Secondary information