Taking Action ... War on Want and other NGOs vs BIS

by Kate Magee , PR Week UK 14-Oct-09

Target: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Protesters: War on Want, Action Aid, Friends of the Earth, Traidcraft Location: London Date: 6 October

The lowdown

Campaigners dressed up as Tesco and Asda bosses staged a tug of war with gagged farmers in the middle, to show supermarkets are exploiting UK and overseas suppliers. They demonstrated outside the BIS. The campaigners were from NGOs including War on Want, Friends of the Earth, Action Aid and Traidcraft.

Why the protest?

Last year, following a two-year inquiry, the Competition Commission recommended a watchdog was set up to stop supermarkets unfairly squeezing their suppliers. But the four major supermarkets refused to agree to the proposal. The Government now has to decide whether it sets up a watchdog and forces it on the big players. More than 180 MPs have already signed an Early Day Motion backing the measure.

How did BIS respond?

A spokesman told Sky News that a full response would be released in due course. It also said it was 'happy to receive evidence as we evaluate the wider costs and benefits of the Competition Commission's recommendation'.

How did the media handle it?

Much of the mainstream media failed to cover the protest but Sky News carried a lengthy piece online. It was also covered in Supply Management and Talking Retail.