“The question is not if we will be fined but when.” The boss of Système U, Dominique Schelcher, considered this Tuesday February 6 inevitable a sanction from the Repression of Fraud (DGCCRF) on compliance with the Egalim law, speaking to Radio Classique. The government has announced massive checks in all brands in the face of farmers’ discontent over contracts concluded during annual commercial negotiations, to check that producers are paid at the right price.
If Dominique Schelcher assures that Système U “respects” the law, he recalls that “no one is safe from an error”, especially on “a contract of several hundred pages”. He assures that his brand is, to his knowledge, not affected by the 124 contracts identified by Bercy on Monday, but that “given the context”, this could happen.
Dominique Schelcher regrets that the government “points the finger” at mass distribution to calm the anger of farmers. “Last year we were needed to help the French get through inflation,” he recalls, considering this year to “serve as a bit of scapegoat”, calling on the DGCCRF to also control industrialists.
The day before, Michel-Édouard Leclerc also anticipated sanctions for contracts concluded by his purchasing center, pointing out French laws that were “so complex” according to him. He also estimated that the farmers had “received instructions to come [demonstrate] in large retailers”, without giving more details.
