The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC) represented by 10 organizations including the CanadianProduce Marketing Association (CPMA) has obtained the commitment of all grocers and key suppliers to support theGrocery Code of Conduct (the Code). The news was shared with Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers ofAgriculture at their annual meeting in Whitehorse. Yukon.

The development of the Code was proposed by FPT Ministers of Agriculture in 2021 to improve transparency, predictability, and respect for the principles of fair dealing within the supplier/retailer relationship.

The development process involved several industry representatives including CPMA which has been part of the process since the beginning as a founding member of the initial Working Group and member of the new Interim Board.

“We are delighted to finally have the entire food supply chain’s support for this Code,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMApresident. “This Code will support industry’s efforts in strengthening our country’s food supply chain and CPMA islooking forward to working with all stakeholders to implement it swiftly.”

Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct is a set of principles that allows all parties to make informed business decisions,contribute to a thriving and competitive grocery industry, promote reciprocal trust and collaboration amongst groceryvalue chain partners, and provide an effective, equitable mechanism for resolving commercial disputes. With the supportfrom the government, OGSCC hopes to implement the Code by June 2025. To learn more about Canada’s Grocery Codeof Conduct, visit canadacode.org.

Source:  Canadian Produce Marketing Association July 18, 2024 news release