Tomato producers and the Irish Farmers' Association have called for a ban on below-cost selling of horticultural produce in Irish supermarkets. Their appeal comes as legislation for a National Food Ombudsman is set to go before the Cabinet.
For years farmers, the primary producers of food, have campaigned for better prices for their produce. They bemoan that others in the food chain take a larger share of the ultimate price paid by consumers. The IFA has published a report by economist Jim Power that finds many producers will be forced out of business if their produce continues to be sold so cheaply in supermarkets, including Aldi and Lidl.
The report calls for a ban on below-cost selling, which was strongly supported by IFA President Tim Cullinan. Cullinan said that growers must get better prices for their produce: "Price compression at retail level has forced growers out of business. The most recent National Field Vegetable Census showed the number of field vegetable growers fell from 377 in 1999 to 165 in 2014 - it is clear from anecdotal evidence that this trend has continued in recent years.”
Source: rte.ie
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