Watch: PL MEP Wants ‘Name And Shame’ Warnings On Food Items To Pressure Suppliers
PL MEP Alex Agius Saliba has called for a “name and shame” system that will allow Maltese supermarkets and grocers to clearly mark supplier price hikes on their food products.
“Why don’t we have a name and shame system as is happening in certain large European establishments?” Agius Saliba questioned. “Supplier price hikes should be clearly marked on products so as to give consumers a clearer picture.”
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Similar systems have been introduced by a number of European establishments, including French supermarket giant Carrefour, which has added warning stickers to products that have shrunk in size but increased in cost.
With food prices continuing to surge, Agius Saliba has embarked on an intriguing battle to find out whether local food suppliers are operating in a monopoly in breach of EU single market laws.
He noted that while in most EU countries, several food importers get to compete against each other, resulting in lower prices, the Maltese market is largely controlled by a couple of large importers.
“As the guardian of the EU treaties, the European Commission has the duty, the obligation and the tools to take action if a European market isn’t functioning well,” he said.
“It can intervene to ensure fair competition that leads to competitive market prices or take other measures through different EU treaties.”
The investigation is expected to look into whether Maltese food suppliers are effectively controlling prices and using unfair tactics to muscle potential smaller competitors out of the market.
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