The NFU is becoming frustrated as the wait for a groceries adjudicator continues with “excessive risk and unexpected costs” potentially mounting on growers.

NFU vice president Gwyn Jones said: “It seems that positive words from the government about the need for an adjudicator are not being matched by actions. We weren’t convinced about the need for a draft bill when the coalition announced its plans for an adjudicator last year. Now it seems the draft bill will not be introduced before Easter, and the legislation proper not until well into 2012.”

Growers are unlikely to see an adjudicator in place until 2013 at the earliest, some three years after the groceries code came into force.

The NFU is calling on farming minister Jim Paice to help bring forward legislation to the current session so that an adjudicator will be operational as soon as possible.

Paice will address the industry at this year’s Re:fresh conference on 19 May.