Government urged to reintroduce ban on below-cost selling

The Government should reintroduce its ban on below-cost selling to offset the “destructive impact” of food retailers on farm incomes, said IFA presidential candidate Jer Bergin.

He has called for a radical rethink of the retail sector’s proposed code of conduct legislation. He said agriculture must be at the centre of any Government initiative to stimulate economic growth and employment.

Mr Bergin said: “The growing cost/price squeeze and the incessant power of the major retailers are real barriers to viable farm incomes. The industry must look at the development of measures such as fixed and forward price models for inputs and outputs that would help to insulate farmers against the effects of global food price volatility.”