In the UK a new code of practice has come into force which is intended to help farmers and food companies when they do business with the main supermarkets.
Practices such as big chains altering supply terms retrospectively or asking suppliers to fund promotions such as two-for-one deals will be outlawed.
Supermarkets will have to keep written records of negotiations with suppliers. For years, suppliers and farmers have been complaining of unfair dealings and unreasonable demands from the big supermarket chains.
The new Groceries Supply Code of Practice will give them access to independent arbitration and protect them from practices such as being asked to cover the cost of theft.
Regulated by the Office of Fair Trading, it also requires retailers to train staff to use the code and appoint compliance officers.
It covers the 10 biggest grocery retailers - those with annual sales of over £1bn - whereas previously codes only covered the four largest chains.
In Ireland the recent rumblings of an MEP calling for an EU inquiry into Tesco supplier charges, perhaps means that the situation there too will see some changes.
Another recent headline in the Irish national press that Irish suppliers claim Tesco seeks up to €500,000 to stock goods, can only be bad news for the company.
