IFA submits plans for supermarket code of practice and ombudsman

THE Irish Farmers Association has submitted detailed proposals to Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan and Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith for a supermarket Code of Practice and a Supermarket Ombudsman.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said it is now widely accepted in the Irish food sector that there is a major lack of retail regulation.

“The Government needs to introduce legislation to deal with the negative impact of retailers’ buying power over food processors, suppliers and primary producers,” he said.