Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay did not rule out the possibility of intervention by the provincial or federal government if all major grocery retailers do not become part of the grocery code of conduct.

In an interview, MacAulay said he would meet with Federal Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and provincial ministers next week so that the provincial and federal governments can discuss options if major retailers do not sign the grocery code.

MacAulay and Quebec Agriculture Minister André Lamontagne also urged all major retailers on Saturday to adopt and abide by the grocery code of conduct.

The ministers said they were disappointed to see that after years of work, the grocery code has not been implemented and some retailers were hesitant to sign up.

At a House of Commons Agriculture Committee meeting in Ottawa, MPs pressed Walmart Canada CEO Gonzalo Gibara and Loblaw president Galen Weston on why their companies had not yet signed the code.

Weston told MPs that his company was concerned about the law because, in its current form, it could lead to price increases for consumers.