Farm incomes and supermarket power
Deputy Healy-Rae warned that multinationals and meat factories were gaining monopoly power over farmers and squeezing incomes. The Taoiseach said there was no specific legislation but protecting farm incomes remained a government objective, especially in the next CAP negotiations.
On page 108 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, it is acknowledged that agriculture is the heartbeat of rural Ireland. I am concerned that farmers supply to the food chain through multinational supermarkets which, because we have lost so many grocers and small shops, are gaining a monopoly in the market. The consumer will have to pay what these multinational supermarkets demand. There is also a monopoly being imposed on farmers by the meat factories. What is the Government going to do to protect farmers' incomes in the context of their dealings with the multinational supermarket companies and the meat factories?
Comment on this
They are dictating what the farmers get for their produce.
Comment on this
There is no specific legislation on this matter. It is an objective of Government to protect farm incomes and that will be a major feature as we enter into negotiations for the new phase of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020. Perhaps the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be able to answer this query better by means of a parliamentary question or Topical Issue Matters.