AFTER launching a probe into supermarket bullying last week, the ACCC is now looking into other cases of anti-competitive behaviour.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims has announced a crackdown on businesses making untrue claims about products or services and exploiting customers - focusing on misleading claims including those about free-range eggs, organics and meat origin."We're looking at cartel conduct, misuse of market power, we're looking at anti-competitive agreements,'' Mr Sims said.
"It's quite broad, it's in many areas of the economy.''
Mr Sims has also rebuffed allegations the investigation into the buying operations of supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will not return results for producers.
Grower groups from around the country have come out in support of the investigation, but many said it would fall down without evidence from producers, which would be hard to come by.
Fruit Growers Victoria general manager John Wilson said the investigation would fail without sound evidence.
"In the past when FGV has appeared before the ACCC and Senate committees, we related many instances but these were all second-hand as no supplier was willing to appear because of the risk of retribution,'' he said.
"Hearsay evidence is not admissible as evidence and the ACCC knows this. That is why Graeme Samuel stated there was no evidence in 2008.
"Nothing has changed.
"This new investigation will only scratch the surface of the real cultural issues that suppliers must endure.'
