The House of Lords is to take evidence from Christine Tacon CBE, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, regarding powers to fine certain large retailers 1% of their turnover. 

The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy, will question Tacon, following its 2014 report into the cost of food waste - which criticised supermarkets for cancelling orders from suppliers at the last minute and insisting on stringent aesthetic standards for fresh produce.

Tacon will also be asked about her plans to use the 40% increase in funding her office is due to receive next year, and what her are priorities for the next 12 months.

The questioning is set to take place tomorrow (Wednesday 11 March) at 11am, and will be broadcast live on www.parliamentlive.tv.

The Counting the Cost of Food Waste report called for more ‘whole-crop’ purchasing agreements between supermarkets and farmers, to ensure less food is ploughed back into fields when supermarkets cancel orders.