Retailer behaviour ‘morally reprehensible’ says IFA president
IFA president John Bryan has said retailers should be "ashamed" of their below-cost selling practices and warns growers will not tolerate any attempt to recoup losses from them
Print17 December 2013
IFA president John Bryan
IFA President John Bryan has hit out at retailer bosses, including the discounters, for making a mockery of the hard work of vegetable and potato growers by using giveaway prices on their produce in the run-in to Christmas.
He said: "To be offering fresh Irish vegetables at a price as low as 5 cent per kg, when it costs over ten times that to produce, is morally wrong and has to stop."
Bryan added it is unforgiveable at this critical time for growers, and when consumers are willing to pay a realistic price for Irish produce, that a price war between the retailers should denigrate the value and the work of the producers. Especially when it is considered that farmers are already under pressure due to rising costs and downward pressure on prices.
He said retailers should be ashamed of themselves and warned that any attempt to recoup losses from growers as a result of this below-cost selling activity will not be tolerated.
The IFA president said these activities by the retailers highlight the urgent need for a code of practice.
He said, "The code of practice has been promised on a number of occasions by this government, but has yet to happen. Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton had given a commitment recently that we would see legislation approved, but it still has not come before cabinet. It is inexcusable that this has not been given the priority it deserves."
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