Last call for MEPs to back Green bid for supermarket investigation
16 January 2008
Sussex Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has called on the EU to investigate the impactof the supermarket sector on farmers, small shops, jobs, communities - andthe environment.
But with just a few days left to gather enough support from fellow MEPs tolaunch the investigation Dr Lucas, and colleagues dressed as fruit, havebeen raising awareness by with a whistle-stop tour of the EuropeanParliament.
The MEP, who hopes to represent Brighton Pavilion as MP after the nextelection, said: "There is increasing evidence from across the EU thatsuggests big supermarkets abuse their buying power to force down prices paidto farmers and suppliers - both within the EU and in the developing world -to an unsustainable level and impose unfair conditions on them.
"The European Commission must investigate the sector further and proposeappropriate measures to deal with any such abuses it finds - protecting ouralready beleaguered and usually under-rewarded farmers, the environment andrural communities."
The four largest supermarkets in the UK - Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's andTesco - together now account for nearly three-quarters of all grocery salesat supermarkets and convenience stores. Three UK supermarkets control almosta quarter of the UK's clothing market between them - and this is growingrapidly, forcing smaller retailers out of business.
Grocery markets across the EU are dominated by a handful of largesupermarkets, which can lead to higher prices and less consumer choice.Finland is worst affected, with just five companies enjoying more than 90per cent of the country's grocery sector.
Dr Lucas has launched a Written Declaration - the Brussels' Parliament'sequivalent of an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons - demanding the EUCommission examine whether supermarkets abuse their dominance, and proposetough new rules to protect rural economies and the environment.
If it attracts the support of half the EU's 785 MEPs it becomes the officialpolicy of the European Parliament - and will be formally passed to theEuropean Commission for action. But if that it to happen more signatures arerequired before the deadline next Thursday.
Dr Lucas added: "It is clear that people want us to look into the impact ofsupermarkets on agriculture, the environment, the retail sector and consumerchoice, but not enough MEPs have signed up yet to make it happen.
"I urge any of your readers who would like to see these questions areaddressed to contact all the South-East's ten MEPs asking them to sign thedeclaration. All their details are available at www.europarl.europa.eu"
The Written Declaration is sponsored by four other MEPs: Hungarian SocialistGyula Hegyi, Polish Nationalist Junusz Wojciechowski, French SocialistHarlem Desir and French Green Helene Flautre.
