No future for Irish horticulture if below cost selling continues

Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív said that Irish horticulture producers ‘will have no future’ unless concrete action is taken to immediately ban the below cost selling of fruit and vegetables.

He said that Fianna Fáil were ‘fully committed’ to implementing a ban on the below cost of selling of fruit and veg at retail outlets throughout Ireland.

“We have also put forward a proposal to introduce a Food Ombudsman based on the Groceries Code Adjudicator model, which operates in the UK and which enshrines the protection of primary producers in national law.

“In effect, this Food Ombudsman would act as an independent adjudicator and oversee the relationship between supermarkets and their suppliers.

“This would ensure that big supermarkets treat their direct suppliers fairly and abide by the law. It would also have the power to investigate complaints and arbitrate in disputes,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that as things stood farmers were seriously contemplating the viability of the horticulture sector, as they were finding it increasingly difficult to break even as a result of the multiples’ practice of below cost selling.

“Fianna Fáil will continue to fight for a fair price for producers to ensure that farmers are protected and supported so that this important industry can continue to grow,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune