Farmers Issues Warning To Retailers

The president of the Irish Farmers Association has warned the Iirsh State's retailers the future of fresh produce growers in Ireland is under threat from "unsustainable price pressure".

Addressing the National Potato Conference and Trade Show in Dublin this morning, IFA President John Bryan said retailers are threatening the viability of fresh produce growers throughout the state.

Mr Bryan told the conference that the food supply chain is broken and that growers can "no longer survive the excessive downward pressure on prices", which he claims is forcing farmers to produce below the cost of production.

Mr Bryan said: "Retailers are not treating growers nor their produce fairly, and they must address the loss-making situation in primary production as a matter of urgency. At a minimum, growers are entitled to cover their costs and earn a margin that rewards their labour and management.”

John Bryan said he would be maintaining pressure on the Government to bring in a Code of Practice as soon as possible. He said: “In a recent meeting with the Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, I impressed on her the need for legislation to underpin and strengthen the voluntary Code of Practice being proposed.”

The IFA President also identified input costs and especially Government-controlled costs such as energy, labour and bureaucracy, and the introduction of the carbon tax as key issues to be addressed.

(DW/BMcC)