Written question asked by Roy Beggs (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to (a) make the Retailer Code of Practice more effective in protecting dairy farmers in Northern Ireland from price cuts imposed by retailers on their milk suppliers and (b) extend the Retailer Code of Practice to cover farmers who supply supermarkets via an intermediary; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to (a) make the Retailer Code of Practice more effective in protecting dairy farmers in Northern Ireland from price cuts imposed by retailers on their milk suppliers and (b) extend the Retailer Code of Practice to cover farmers who supply supermarkets via an intermediary; and if he will make a statement. [197929] Mr. Pearson: Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 the regulation of anti-competition practices and agreements and the abuse of dominant position in the market are reserved matters. Responsibility for the Supermarkets' Code of Practice therefore rests with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 426 c1041W;426 c1045W; 197929
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Codes of practice Competition Dairy farming Northern Ireland Prices Milk Supermarkets
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk