Food (Fair Trade and Information) Bill 2009

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposal would stop retailers from pressuring food suppliers to pay for advertising, product displays or shelf space, while allowing genuinely voluntary joint promotions with costs shared equally. Suppliers and large retailers would have to keep written records of their trading terms, including discounts and credit arrangements, so the Competition Authority could inspect them. Annual reports would give the public information about large retailers’ turnover and profits, and about how much food they source from Irish producers; the proposal would not require retailers to buy a particular share of Irish goods. Breaches could lead to substantial fines, imprisonment in serious cases, and court action by affected businesses.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide, in the interests of the common good, for the prohibition of activities which prevent, restrict or distort fair trade in grocery goods in the State, and to provide for information on the grocery trade in Ireland to be gathered and published, and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 12 April 2018