IFA calls for legislation over extreme Christmas discounts
“No doubt the supermarkets will point out that they are, at least, part subsidising these pre-Christmas offers.
“But they do a have long-term impact on the prices received by farmers. Where sprouts are concerned, growers need to receive a price of just over €1/kg simply to cover their costs.”
The IFA is calling on the government to introduce legislation, which will ban below cost selling practises.
“We have been calling for these steps to be taken for some time,” said the spokesman.
“The UK appointed a grocery code adjudicator some time ago to address these very issues. And it’s an approach that has worked. There is no reason why a similar approach cannot be taken here in Ireland.
Meanwhile, IFA president Joe Healy has expressed concern at the recent discounting of potatoes by a number of retailers in the run up to Christmas, saying these promotions can have a detrimental effect on what is a fragile market.
source: agriland.ie
