The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS) is continuing its push for an ombudsman to oversee and enforce a code of conduct for the retail sector.

NFUS is urging Westminster and Competition authorities to ensure that their recommendations, currently incumbent on major retailers, are followed up in the New Year.

The Competition Commission’s groceries market investigation report, published in April, recommended the introduction of an independent ombudsman to monitor relationships between retailers and suppliers.

NFUS president, Jim McLaren, said: “It is abundantly clear that the major retailers are paying little more than lip service to the requirement that they actively engage in the process of establishing an ombudsman for the groceries sector.

“Their reluctance to participate must come as no surprise to government and the Competition Commission, who must be prepared to step in to ensure that the recommendations turn into reality.

“In the interim, we continue to hear horrendous tales of suppliers being mistreated at the hands of supermarkets while certain retailers have had the audacity to portray themselves to the general public as the good guys.

“The astonishing statements issued by some retailers this week, voicing concern over the viability of some of their suppliers simply beggars belief. The solution to supplier viability lies entirely in retailers’ own hands and no one will have fallen for this token sympathy.

“As a union, we began campaigning for the establishment of an independent policeman, to ensure fair trade between supermarkets and their suppliers, eight long years ago. It appears that the relationship between retailers and many of their suppliers has never been poorer and the need for an ombudsman has never been greater. It is time for Government and its agencies to ensure this is delivered,” he said.