19 January 2008 - Sussex Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has called on the EU to investigate the impact of the supermarket sector on farmers, small shops, jobs, communities - and the environment. But with just a few days left to gather enough support from fellow MEPs to launch the investigation Dr Lucas, and colleagues dressed as fruit, have been raising awareness by with a whistle-stop tour of the European Parliament.

The MEP, who hopes to represent Brighton Pavilion as MP after the next election, said: "There is increasing evidence from across the EU that suggests big supermarkets abuse their buying power to force down prices paid to farmers and suppliers - both within the EU and in the developing world - to an unsustainable level and impose unfair conditions on them.

"The European Commission must investigate the sector further and propose appropriate measures to deal with any such abuses it finds - protecting our already beleaguered and usually under-rewarded farmers, the environment and rural communities."

The four largest supermarkets in the UK - Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco - together now account for nearly three-quarters of all grocery sales at supermarkets and convenience stores. Three UK supermarkets control almost a quarter of the UK’s clothing market between them - and this is growing rapidly, forcing smaller retailers out of business.

Grocery markets across the EU are dominated by a handful of large supermarkets, which can lead to higher prices and less consumer choice. Finland is worst affected, with just five companies enjoying more than 90 per cent of the country’s grocery sector.

Dr Lucas has launched a Written Declaration - the Brussels’ Parliament’s equivalent of an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons - demanding the EU Commission examine whether supermarkets abuse their dominance, and propose tough new rules to protect rural economies and the environment.

If it attracts the support of half the EU’s 785 MEPs it becomes the official policy of the European Parliament - and will be formally passed to the European Commission for action. But if that it to happen more signatures are required before the deadline next Thursday.

Dr Lucas added: "It is clear that people want us to look into the impact of supermarkets on agriculture, the environment, the retail sector and consumer choice, but not enough MEPs have signed up yet to make it happen.

"I urge any of your readers who would like to see these questions are addressed to contact all the South-East’s ten MEPs asking them to sign the declaration. All their details are available at www.europarl.europa.eu"

The Written Declaration is sponsored by four other MEPs: Hungarian Socialist Gyula Hegyi, Polish Nationalist Junusz Wojciechowski, French Socialist Harlem Desir and French Green Helene Flautre.

ENDS