Commenting on Tesco’s announcement of its £3.13bn pre-tax profits, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Tim Farron said:
"While it’s good to see businesses doing well in the recession, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that these huge profits have been built by exploiting small family farmers by paying them a pittance for their produce.
"Tesco controls over 30% of the UK food market. There can be little doubt that a powerful supermarket monopoly has damaged farmers and weakened rural areas.
"Instead of continuing Labour’s policy of letting supermarkets cut prices by cutting farmers’ profits, the Liberal Democrats would ensure farmers and consumers both get a fair deal by creating a legally binding supermarket code, enforced by a powerful Food Market Regulator."
