Decoding the Retail Code of Conduct

AUSVEG Public Affairs Manager, William Churchill stated, "With an estimated 80 per cent of Australian vegetables distributed through the major supermarkets, the relationship between growers and retailers is critical to the vegetable industry's everyday operations."

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia's 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.

Australia's two largest grocery retailers, Coles and Woolworths, reached an agreement with the food manufacturing industry on a voluntary code in late 2013.

Although it contains assurances for both suppliers and retailers, the code is by definition voluntary, which has raised issues surrounding conflict resolution for suppliers and retailers.

Churchill commended the panel for providing a diverse range of views in regards to the code.

"With many of Australia's vegetable growers supplying the major retailers, this panel was of great interest to Convention attendees and evoked differing views from both panelists and audience members alike," said Churchill.

Members of the panel included Senator John Madigan of the Democratic Labour Party, Chris Mara – Government and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Coles, Christopher Preston – Director, Legal and Regulatory, Australian Food and Grocery Council, and Warren Scott – Partner, Mills Oakley Lawyers.

Churchill stated, "The panelists touched on matters including the code's affect on growers, its efficacy over the previous system, and whether it affected smaller grocery retailers such as IGA or Aldi, and provided growers and other members of the horticultural supply chain with an informative perspective into how the new code of conduct will impact their businesses."