Supermarket ombudsman

NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael has welcomed his coalition government’s decision to create an ombudsman to protect the interests of farmers and small producers in their dealings with supermarkets.

Supermarkets have often been accused of abusing their strength to squeeze producers to increase their profit margins.

Mr Carmichael said: “The announcement that the government will legislate for a new watchdog to protect smaller firms and farmers in places like the northern isles is welcome news.

“Locally, we have seen companies such as Orkney Meats run into difficulties in recent months. It is this sort of business that the new supermarket ombudsman will help protect and I hope that companies around the isles will welcome the steps that the government is taking.”