Farmers accuse Tesco of using Irish suppliers to protect profits

TESCO has been accused by farmers of using Irish meat, milk and vegetable suppliers as cannon fodder in a major struggle to save its market share and protect its profits.

Irish Farmers’ Association president, Padraig Walshe, said Tesco’s tactics would squeeze producers and processors even harder at a time when the Irish food sector was under huge pressure, with farmers already being forced to produce at below the cost of production.

“On the same day as Tesco announced a major new pipeline for imports, we are seeing their real agenda, which is to push Irish food processors, farmers and growers into the frontline in the latest round of supermarket wars.